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WILLIAM NAFEW HASKELL was born to Joseph Farrell Haskell and Julia Benjamin at the Station Hospital at Fort Riley, Kansas, on 15 November 1932.
Bill spent the first ten years of his life on Army posts. In 1942 he moved to Garrison, New York, across the river from West Point and always "home base" for the family, where he stayed with his mother and sisters during the course of World War II. Then, leaving family and childhood behind, he went to Georgetown Preparatory School in Washington and St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island.
His decision to go to West Point came naturally. His grandfather was graduated in the Class of 1901, his father in 1930, his uncle in 1925, and his cousin was attending in the Class of 1953. His mother's uncle graduated in the Class of 1900.
Bill entered West Point in the summer of 1950. When Beast Barracks ended he had the good fortune to enter Company K-2, an organization noted for its fun-loving lifestyle. Since academics gave him little trouble, Bill had time to hone his already considerable skills at chess and to indulge his taste for classical music. He also revealed the talents which would later bring success in a business career, running a lucrative after-taps investment service for his fellow cadets. This brought a brush or two with the Tactical Department but the adventure of it far outweighed a few hours on the "area." To the delight of his company-mates, Bill often played host in his family's homes in New York City and Garrison.
After graduation Bill attended the Basic Armor Officer Course, Airborne training and Ranger school, finally joining the 1st Battalion of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment garrisoned near the old Bavarian city of Bayreuth. In the spring of 1956 he returned to New York to wed Irene (Sissy) Lamm and carried her back to Bindlach and two years as a lieutenant's wife in a border regiment.
It was not an easy life, even by Army standards. Bill was gone much of the time either on border patrol, in live-fire training at Grafenwoehr or on maneuvers practicing the regiment's wartime mission. Housing was in short supply. Bill and Sissy lived their first year of marriage in the upper story of the battalion headquarters converted (barely) into family quarters. Even after their first son, Joe, was born in 1957 there was a few months' wait for a real apartment, so Sissy found herself several times a day invading the adjutant's office to get the baby's milk from the "official" refrigerator.
But there were joys as well. The regiment was a cohesive organization, proud of its history and its current mission, and the battalion was a close-knit family. Its members - particularly the junior officers and their wives - formed lifelong friendships through a multitude of good times and interesting experiences. In the spring of 1958 they deployed en masse back to the regiment's original home in Fort Meade, Maryland. Life became easier and shared memories of field duty and Bindlach's cold hilltop lent a special strength to the bonds of camaraderie.
After a year at Fort Meade and a total of five years of active duty (two more than obligated at that time), Bill resigned his commission and moved to New York for a career on Wall Street.
With customary vigor and enthusiasm, Bill went to work as a registered representative for the brokerage firm of Glore Forgan & Company. In May 1961 he became a member of the New York Stock Exchange and a general partner in the firm of A.G. Edwards & Sons. In October 1964 he became one of the founding partners of Blumenthal, Haskell & Co. where he remained until he joined the St. Louis-based firm of Newhard Cook & Co. and represented them on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, first as a general partner and, subsequent to their incorporation, as a vice president and director. Bill's background followed him to the Stock Exchange where, within the brotherhood of floor brokers, he was affectionately known as "The General."
During these years Bill and his growing family lived again in Garrison. They bought a large house with a handsome view of the Hudson and West Point. Bill and Sis lost no time in making full use of the space. Their second son, Tony, had been born while they were at Fort Meade, and Helen came soon after they entered civilian life. She was followed in close succession by Ward and Gordon. Football weekends saw old classmates and new friends adding to the ever-present exuberance of the household.
It is that quality of exuberance, combined with an unquestioning loyalty to his family and friends, that most characterized Bill. Whether working or cheering on the Black, Gold, and Gray, canoeing, camping, or pursuing a deepening understanding of his Maker, Bill's spontaneity and warmth created reciprocity of love and friendship that surpasses his death.
Bill died in an automobile accident near Garrison on October 28, 1980, and was buried at West Point. An old family friend, Father Hart, said at his funeral that Bill's life was guided by three great loves - of country, of family, of God. It is in keeping to add a fourth - of life.
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