It is with great sadness that the LGBTQ+ Center announces the passing of WVU alumnus, friend and benefactor William Lee “Bill”Peters of Springfield, Virginia, who passed away at his home Dec. 30.
Trained in law, statistics, and business management, Mr. Peters held degrees from West Virginia University (B.S. 1969); North Carolina State University (M.S. 1970); and Duke University (J.D. & MBA, 1976). Bill was an independent attorney in Washington, D.C., before becoming Church Administrator for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Va., a position he held for 18 years. In retirement, Bill served on the board and in other capacities of Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Va. He was a volunteer docent at the Smithsonian, where he enjoyed giving tours of the Enid A. Haupt Garden.
Bill was also a philanthropist, and he made a significant impact at WVU through his generous financial giving to the LGBTQ+ Center, being its largest benefactor. In fact, his generosity was instrumental in the creation of the LGBTQ+ Center, and his dedication to the LGBTQ+ Center never waned. His love for the Center and his pride in the work being done there was an inspiration to the Center’s staff and students.
According to Brad Grimes, Program Specialist at the LGBTQ+ Center, “Bill was passionate about helping the LGBTQ+ Center and the students we serve. He believed in and supported our mission of making WVU a safe, welcoming and inclusive community for the university’s LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff. Bill’s commitment to helping our students, and the joy that brought him, speaks volumes about the incredibly kind and thoughtful man he was.”
In October of 2018, the WVU Alumni Association named Mr. Peters the recipient of the Paul B. “Buck” Martin Award, noting that Mr. Peters “served as a tireless role model and advocate for LGBTQ+ students, creating initiatives that focus on community improvement, advocacy and care. His generosity has led to a more inclusive campus by enabling the WVU LGBTQ+ Center to hire students to develop programs and conduct research, bringing topical speakers to campus and celebrating achievement at Lavender Graduation.”
"Bill was a delightful person: active in lifelong learning, community service, and dedication to improve the lives of people in WV, including lower income college goers and LGBTQ+ students at WVU," Cris Mayo, former director of the LGBTQ+ Center, said.
According to Ellen Rodrigues, Interim Director of the LGBTQ+ Center, Bill was a very special friend, supporter and advocate of the LGBTQ+ Center. Bill’s generosity helped provide for many of our student programs and activities, including Friendsgiving and Lavender Graduation. Bill’s support enabled us to expand student employment opportunities at the Center. I’ll always remember the 2018 homecoming parade, when many in the crowd waved rainbow flags celebrating Bill Peters.”
“Bill was so engaging and full of fun,” recalls Grimes, “yet he generally preferred to help and be supportive out of the spotlight. That said, it was so important to Bill to march in the Homecoming Parade and to accept his Alumni Association Award at Mylan Stadium as a way of focusing attention on LGBTQ+ inclusion at WVU. He braved the spotlight because he was that proud of the LGBTQ+ Center he helped establish at WVU.”
Bill is survived by his brother, John Peters, of Springfield, Va. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Contributions may be made to the William L. (Bill) Peters LGBTQ Student Support Fund at West Virginia University in Bill’s honor.