William A. Graham IV, a longtime Montgomery County resident, celebrated businessman, philanthropist, volunteer, and Hall of Fame wrestler, died on January 29 at 83, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Graham, who grew up in Lafayette Hill and Flourtown, was the former owner, chairman, and CEO of Graham Co. Twelve years after his father founded the company, he took over and transformed it into a leading insurance agency and brokerage. He expanded the staff from six to 180 and built it into one of the nation’s 50 largest commercial agencies.
Graham was also a former co-owner of The Inquirer. In 2006, he made the largest investment – $31 million – toward a joint purchase of the newspaper and helped operate Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC through 2010.
“Bill had such an incredible impact in so many ways,” said Brian Tierney, former co-owner and publisher of The Inquirer and Graham’s longtime friend. “He was a brilliant business guy and so kind.”
He was a lifelong wrestling enthusiast and became a star wrestler at both William Penn Charter School and Bucknell University. Along with his wife, Fran, they donated over $5 million in 2004 to help reinstate Bucknell’s wrestling program.
Read more about William Graham in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
