In Memoriam

 

William S. Zerman (Michigan '49) (photo of official portrait on display in Board Room at Phi Gamma Delta International Headquarters)

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Brother WIlliam S. Zerman on Sunday, February 25, 2007 in Memphis, Tennessee. 

At the time of his death, Brother Zerman was serving as Executive Director Emeritus of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.  Named as the Fraternity's Third Executive Secretary and Editor in 1959 upon the retirement of Cecil J. "Scoop" Wilkinson (Ohio Wesleyan 1917), Brother Zerman presided over an extraordinary period of growth and change during his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of the Fraternity.

Upon graduation from the University of Michigan in 1949, Bill was selected as the 22nd Field Secretary in Phi Gamma Delta from 1949 to 1951.  Upon conclusion of his tenure as Field Secretary, Bill initially served his alma mater as Assistant Dean of Men, and subsequently was named Dean of Men at Ohio Wesleyan University.  In 1959, Bill returned to Phi Gamma Delta where he served the Fraternity as Executive Director & Editor until his retirement in 1986.

In 1965, Bill was designated as one of 111 Charter Members of the Distinguished FIJI Award.  The Distinguished FIJI Award is presented annually to no more than six (6) graduate brothers, who shall be deserving of recognition for their faithful and unselfish service to Phi Gamma Delta or their special contribution to mankind and society at large.

In the early 1970s, The Archons of the Fraternity decided to relocate the Fraternity's Headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Lexington, Kentucky.  Bill managed the affairs of the Fraternity from a temporary location at 343 Waller Avenue for twelve (12) years while our permanent headquarters was financed and subsequently constructed at 1201 Red Mile Road.  The new Headquarters Building was dedicated at the 138th Ekklesia (1986) held in Lexington, Kentucky.

Upon his retirement, Bill remained active in many local Lexington charitable organizations in addition to serving Phi Gamma Delta as Educational Director.  In 1989, Bill was named a Balfour Distinguished Lecturer, speaking on ethics and values on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada.

Bill was predeceased in 2004 by his wife, Marian, who was well known to many FIJIs.  Bill is survived by  a daughter, Carol Creel, his sons, Gregory B. Zerman (University of Arkansas '83), William S., Jr., and eight (8) grandchildren, among them, Benjamin G. Zerman, who is presently a FIJI undergraduate at Bill's alma mater, University of Michigan, Class of 2009.

In Memoriam

 

William S. Zerman (Michigan '49) (photo of official portrait on display in Board Room at Phi Gamma Delta International Headquarters)

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Brother WIlliam S. Zerman on Sunday, February 25, 2007 in Memphis, Tennessee. 

At the time of his death, Brother Zerman was serving as Executive Director Emeritus of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.  Named as the Fraternity's Third Executive Secretary and Editor in 1959 upon the retirement of Cecil J. "Scoop" Wilkinson (Ohio Wesleyan 1917), Brother Zerman presided over an extraordinary period of growth and change during his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of the Fraternity.

Upon graduation from the University of Michigan in 1949, Bill was selected as the 22nd Field Secretary in Phi Gamma Delta from 1949 to 1951.  Upon conclusion of his tenure as Field Secretary, Bill initially served his alma mater as Assistant Dean of Men, and subsequently was named Dean of Men at Ohio Wesleyan University.  In 1959, Bill returned to Phi Gamma Delta where he served the Fraternity as Executive Director & Editor until his retirement in 1986.

In 1965, Bill was designated as one of 111 Charter Members of the Distinguished FIJI Award.  The Distinguished FIJI Award is presented annually to no more than six (6) graduate brothers, who shall be deserving of recognition for their faithful and unselfish service to Phi Gamma Delta or their special contribution to mankind and society at large.

In the early 1970s, The Archons of the Fraternity decided to relocate the Fraternity's Headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Lexington, Kentucky.  Bill managed the affairs of the Fraternity from a temporary location at 343 Waller Avenue for twelve (12) years while our permanent headquarters was financed and subsequently constructed at 1201 Red Mile Road.  The new Headquarters Building was dedicated at the 138th Ekklesia (1986) held in Lexington, Kentucky.

Upon his retirement, Bill remained active in many local Lexington charitable organizations in addition to serving Phi Gamma Delta as Educational Director.  In 1989, Bill was named a Balfour Distinguished Lecturer, speaking on ethics and values on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada.

Bill was predeceased in 2004 by his wife, Marian, who was well known to many FIJIs.  Bill is survived by  a daughter, Carol Creel, his sons, Gregory B. Zerman (University of Arkansas '83), William S., Jr., and eight (8) grandchildren, among them, Benjamin G. Zerman, who is presently a FIJI undergraduate at Bill's alma mater, University of Michigan, Class of 2009.