William Frederick Tornrose

William Frederick Tornrose was born on November 5, 1936 in New York City, NY.  He was the eldest of three children born to William and Marie Tornrose, and he spent his childhood growing up in Amesbury, MA with his brother Russell, and sister Carole(Neatrour). William (Bill) graduated from Amesbury High School where he enjoyed playing football and was a well-respected athlete, attended Princeton University, and graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1962.

Bill married Marcia Lea Sadler on August 11, 1957 in Tamworth, NH.  Bill and Marcia moved to the Chicago area where they lived for over 40 years and raised three children, William, Gregory, and Tamara (Najarian).  

Bill was President of Tornrose, Campbell & Associates, a consulting engineering firm in Chicago, Illinois for several years, and later worked for HDR, Inc.  He was active in service to his profession as a member of the American Consulting Engineers Council, and President of the Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois, as well as to his community as member of Maine Township School Board and local Masonic organization in Wilmette and to his church at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Park Ridge, IL. 

Bill and Marcia moved to Williamsburg, Va, in 2002 and later to Charlottesville, Va.  Bill enjoyed sailing and the outdoors.  During his life, he fulfilled a dream of visiting and exploring several National Parks. He also enjoyed studying United States history and enjoyed visiting the many commemorative and historic sites around Virginia.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren, Allison (Yeaman), Will, Madeline, and Lauren; and his great-grandson John Henry Yeaman, all of whom reside near Charlottesville, Va. 

Bill departed this life on May 14, 2018, at home in Charlottesville, Va. at the age of 81 after a long illness. Preceding him in death were his parents William and Marie Tornrose, his wife Marcia (Sadler) Tornrose, and his grandson, Richard Henry Najarian.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life to honor Bill on August 1^st, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Earlysville, Va.  Memorial gifts can be made to American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.

An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com

Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville, VA handled the arrangements.