Background
Grant, William Downing was born on February 10, 1917 in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Son of William Thomas and Frances (Downing) Grant.
Grant, William Downing was born on February 10, 1917 in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Son of William Thomas and Frances (Downing) Grant.
Bachelor of Arts Kansas, 1939. Student, Wharton School Finance, University Pennsylvania, 1940. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Westminster College.
With, Business Men's Assurance Company, Kansas City, Missoury, 1940-1992;
vice president charge reinsurance, Business Men's Assurance Company, 1951-1956;
executive vice president, Business Men's Assurance Company, 1956-1960;
president, chief Executive officer, Business Men's Assurance Company, 1960-1969;
Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer, Business Men's Assurance Company, 1969-1986;
chairman, Business Men's Assurance Company, 1986-1990;
vice chairman, Business Men's Assurance Company, 1990-1992;
chairman, BMA Corporation (now Seafield Capital Corporation), 1990-1993;
emeritus, 1993. Past director Union Pacific Corporation, Kansas City Power and Light Company. Board directors Boatmen's 1st National Bank.
Member various syndicates Lloyd's of London.
Member United States President's Commission on Finance Structure and Regulation 1970-1972. Past president, chairman Kansas City Area council Boy Scouts American. General chairman Kansas City United Campaign, 1964.
Past national trustee, past board directors American Field Service. Board governors Nelson Gallery. Past chairman board trustees Conservatory Music of University Missouri, Kansas City.
Past trustee University Kansas City. Member president' council Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Chairman Life and Health Insurance Medical Research Fund, 1985-1988.
Director Home Office Reference Laboratory. Member general council Assicurazioni Generali, Trieste. Lieutenant Commander United States Naval Reserve.
Member American College Life Underwriters (past vice chairman board, member executive committee), American Life Convention (past chairman), American Council Life Insurance (executive committee), Clubs: Kansas City Country. Fairbanks Ranch, San Diego. River, Links (New York City).
Married Mary Noel, June 24, 1941. Children: Laura Noel Grant Gamble, William Thomas World War II.