William D. Ireland, Jr. ’49 died on May 21, 2008, in Vero Beach, Florida.

The son of William D. Ireland ’16, he was born on March 20, 1924. He prepared for college at Deerfield Academy and joined the United States Army Air Corps. He was admitted to the Bowdoin class of 1946 but, because of his service during the war, he became a member of the class of 1949 and ultimately graduated in 1948. He began his career with the First National Bank of Boston, and then joined the Canal National Bank of Portland, of which he later became president. He moved to Worcester, Mass., in 1964 to become president of Guaranty Bank and Trust Company. In 1972, he started the bank holding company called the Conifer Group and served as chairman and president until the company was sold in 1986. He served on numerous corporate boards during his career, including Hannaford Brothers of Scarborough, Maine, and Colonial Management of Boston, both of which he served for more than 30 years. He was active in many educational, civic, and community organizations, including service as a trustee of Worcester Memorial Hospital, Leicester College, and the New England College Fund. In Bowdoin affairs, he was an overseer of the College for 16 years and served as president of the Alumni Council. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Dabney Morgan Ireland. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Buffy) Ireland of Vero Beach; by three daughters, Penelope Ireland Chambers of Baltimore, Md., Mary Elliott Ireland of Lincolnville, Maine, and Sara Ireland of Worcester, Mass.; one son, Jeffrey Ireland of LaVerne, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.