Necrology

Wayland “Bill” Freeman Blood '53

Aug. 19, 1930-Aug. 29, 2020

A retired executive with Ford Motor Co., Wayland “Bill” Freeman Blood ’53 was a family man who took pride in being an active part of his children’s and grand­children’s lives.
Blood worked at Ford for 33 years, serving as vice president/treasurer for Ford Credit Co., Ford’s financial services group. He and his family were part of the Hamilton community for three generations.

Blood died on Aug. 29, 2020, in Naples, Fla. He was born on Aug. 19, 1930, in Gloucester, Mass., a son of Wayland Blood, Class of 1914, and the former ­Katharine Freeman. He prepared for ­college at the Browne & Nichols School, in Cambridge, Mass. On the Hill, he played football, as had his father and as would his future son, David Blood ’81.

Blood focused his studies on political science and English, and he joined Psi Upsilon fraternity. His senior yearbook noted his “well-patched Block ‘H’ sweater” and that he was “one of the few who knew the intricate passages of the library.” Blood’s fond memories of Hamilton included cold, snow, and ice that seemed to last forever, houseparties (“always interesting”), and the beauty of the Hill.

In his 50th reunion yearbook, he talked about the friendships, comradery, and quality education he found at Hamilton. “Hamilton instills the importance of values (e.g., honor system) that is carried through life,” he wrote in his 40th reunion yearbook.

After graduating from Hamilton, Blood served for two years in the U.S. Army before earning a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University. His pre-Ford career included working for Gulf Oil Corp. for five years.

Blood showed his support for his alma mater in many ways. In 1994, he established a scholarship in his father’s honor. The scholarship was recently renamed The Wayland F. Blood ’53 Family Scholarship to honor him: Blood was particularly proud of Hamilton as a school of opportunity.

In 2006, Hamilton dedicated the state-of-the-art Charlean and Wayland Blood Fitness and Dance Center (formerly Saunders Hall of Chemistry), a facility made ­possible by the generosity of his son, David, who serves as a Hamilton life trustee.

Over the years, Bill Blood’s interest in politics inspired him to get involved at the local level, and he served as trustee and on the planning commission of West Bloomfield Township in Michigan. He also served on the Governor’s Commission on Northwestern Highway and received the Ford Civic Action Award.

In his retirement in Naples, he enjoyed family visits, took trips abroad, and traveled to battlefields. Blood’s interests included military history, sports, and politics.

Blood was predeceased by his wife, Charlean Brooks Blood. Survivors include four children and eight grandchildren.

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