In Memoriam

We are saddened to announce the passing of former St. Joseph’s Prep President Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. ’45 at the age of 96. Fr. Byron has been one of the most prominent Jesuit leaders and authors of the past seven decades. He was at the helm of several top Catholic Universities and a prolific writer of books on Catholicism and faith. 

Fr. Byron will be inducted into the St. Joseph’s Prep Hall of Excellence later this month as an alumnus who has lived a life of service and carried out the Mission of the Prep through his personal commitment to being a man for and with others. His induction is an indication of the esteem in which he is held by Prep alumni and within the Jesuit world.

“Today we mourn the loss of a great man who served our country, taught us how to live our faith, and influenced thousands throughout his esteemed career. Fr. Byron is a titan of Jesuit, Catholic education. I am grateful I had the opportunity to spend time with him and humbled to stand upon his shoulders as Director of the Work at 17th & Girard,” says John Marinacci, President of the Prep.

After graduating from the Prep, Byron served in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the United States Army in the Second World War before enrolling at Saint Joseph’s College and then joining the Jesuits. Fr. Byron is most remembered as the President of the University of Scranton (1975-82); during his leadership, the campus underwent significant changes, and the University dedicated the William J. Byron Recreational Complex. Byron was the first Jesuit ever to serve as President of the Catholic University of America (1982-92), and he served an interim term as President of Loyola University of New Orleans (2003-04) before coming to the Prep from 2006 until 2008. 

Fr. Byron is a loyal alumnus of the Prep and was proud of his time on the football team, often attending games well into his 90s. He resided at Manresa Hall for the past several months where our students would visit with him. He loved to sing the Prep Fight Song when the students were with him. Fr. Byron is the author of over 20 books, and for many years penned a syndicated bi-weekly column entitled “Looking Around.” He has received 30 honorary degrees. 

“He was a thinker and writer and often led others, especially us Jesuits, to consider from some unusual viewpoints—the life that we were leading,” says former President Rev. George W. Bur, S.J. ’59, Fr. Byron’s successor. “To do this, he coined a few terms that helped him deal with the tensions of a contemplative in action. He created the word ‘humbition’ to designate a successful creative spirit of one who did not develop personal pride of ownership. A similar word was ‘individuarian’ which most suitably described the ideal Jesuit as not a narrowly defined ‘individualist,’ rather a person trained uniquely with often unusual interests and missioned within a worldwide communitarian society under a vow of obedience.”

In 2006, Fr. Byron was asked to return to his alma mater as president which he served steadfastly for two years, setting up the Prep for future success.  

“Fr. Byron stepped forward generously when needed to become interim president at a time when the final stages of a capital campaign were near completion and a major renovation was underway that led to Jesuit Hall and the Sauter Dining Hall, adding transformative components to our campus,” says Fr. Bur. “He was happy to take on this role and brought great energy.” 

 

Funeral Services for Fr. Byron, S.J., will be held on Saturday, April 20

at St. Matthias Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA.
A viewing will take place in Church at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m.