William Oliver Alden, Jr.

LOUISVILLE - William Oliver Alden Jr. was born on October 25, 1923 in Louisville, Kentucky and died peacefully at home on April 24, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of the Louisville area, leaving only to attend Woodberry Forest School and Yale University, and to serve in the military during World War II.

Upon graduation from Yale, Bill joined his father at Alden & Co., an investment management company. In 1979, Alden & Co. became part of Hilliard Lyons, where he continued to work through his late 80’s. He was passionate about investing in and out of the office, and he enjoyed being part of the Syndicate, a local investment group.

Upon retirement, Bill pursued his philanthropic efforts with vigor and was given an office at the Community Foundation of Louisville, continuing to work into his mid 90’s. During his career, he and his wife Frannie supported many Louisville charities. His philanthropy focused on the needs of children, educational attainment, and support for families, including health and human services. When possible, Bill encouraged charities to use his donation for matching funds, allowing the charities to multiply his gifts. His favorite nonprofits included School Choice Scholarships, The Healing Place, Home of the Innocents, Wellspring, Boys and Girls Clubs, Cabbage Patch, and Junior Achievement. In addition to financial support, Bill shared his business acumen and knowledge with the nonprofits he supported.

For most of his life, Bill was an avid golfer, and played the game with passion. He was a member of the Louisville Country Club, where he loved spending time. It is alleged that at age 100, he was the oldest member in its history. His love of sweets was well known, and he frequently returned home from the Club with a stack of cookies. Bill was also a very active member of the USGA Seniors Association and enjoyed playing golf at some of the most famous courses in the country. One of his favorite courses was in Weque in Northern Michigan, where he spent summers with his wife and family. In his later years, Bill was a regular player at the bridge table at the Club. He was always grateful for the wonderful friendships he made over the course of his life.

“What else can you say? I’ve had a good run, lived a long life, with lots of luck. My hope is that you don’t take life too seriously and stay healthy.”

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Emily Breuer Alden and William Oliver Alden, and Frances Newman Alden, his lovely wife of 67 years. He will be greatly missed by his family including his children, Elizabeth (Buffy) Alden Applegate and William Oliver Alden III, as well as two grandchildren, Emily Frances Applegate Johnson (Michael) and Arthur Hunt Applegate Jr. (Ibis). He also loved spending time with his great granddaughter Ibis Elizabeth Applegate Ponce.

A private graveside service for family members will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery. A visitation and celebration of his life will be held in July.

The family would like to thank all of his wonderful caregivers including Diana, William, Kate, Katrina, Becky, and Geron.

Memorial gifts may be made to Home of the Innocents, Wellspring, or a charity of your choice.