Background
William was born on December 4, 1918 New York City, United States. Son of William Avery and Florence (Lincoln) Rockefeller.
William was born on December 4, 1918 New York City, United States. Son of William Avery and Florence (Lincoln) Rockefeller.
William studied at St. Paul's School in 1936. In four years he was a student of the Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. He became a Bachelor of Arts. From 1940 to 1941 he was a student of the Columbia University in New York City, United States. He became a Bachelor of Laws. In 1947 he studied at Columbia University in New York City, United States. he received a degree of the Bachelor of Laws.
William worked in the Associate firm Dorr, Hand & Dawson in Hammond, Louisiana, United States from 1947 to 1955. In this year he worked in Shearman & Sterling in New York City, United States. Since 1957 William was a Partner in Shearman & Sterling. William was a member of the Board of directors in the Indian Spring Land Company in Cranston Print Works, Oneida Ltd in Connecticut, United States.
Trustee, secretary board Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Board directors American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, president, 1956-1964. President Metropolitan Opera Association, 1973-1978, chairman, 1978-1986.
Chairman Metropolitan Opera Guild. Board directors Lincoln Center. Chairman Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, until 1990.
Trustee Paul Smith's College. Chairman Oldfields School. Chairman council James Baker Institute, Cornell University, until 1990.
President American Dog Museum. Chairman council James A. Baker Institute. Director Council Board Governors New York Colleges.
Chairman Yale Alumni Board, late 1960's-70's. Former president Westminster Kennel Club, American Kennel Club. Served to Lieutenant Commander United States Naval Reserve, 1941-1946.
Fellow American Bar Association. Member New York Bar Association, Association Bar City New York, American Yacht Club (Rye), New York Yacht Club, St. Regis Yacht Club, Links Club, Anglers Club, Metropolitan Opera Club, Racquet and Tennis Club, The Brook Club, River Club (New York City), The Farmers Club, Pilgrims of the United States, Phi Delta Phi.
William married to Mary D. Gillett on July 3, 1947. Children: Mary Gillett Fogarty, Edith McKee Laird, Sarah Stillman Bogdanovitch.