Dr. Wilson D. Leggett, III

Dr. Wilson Durward Leggett III (Bill), born on February 18, 1935 in San Diego, California, passed away peacefully on August 12th in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 88.

A thoughtful and industrious man, Dr. Leggett graduated from the Severn School in 1952, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State in 1957, and then a Master of Science degree from U.C.L.A. He returned to N.C. State where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in 1964, in nuclear engineering. He was one of the first students in the N.C. State’s nuclear engineering program, later served as an advisor to that program, and was a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha (PiKA) fraternity.

Dr. Leggett had a distinguished career with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, primarily in the Water Reactor Division. He served in various leadership positions driving innovation and significant technological advancements in the design of nuclear fuel and nuclear water reactors. He was a director on the American Nuclear Society Board from 1984 to 1987, and served on the evaluation panel for the National Science Foundation Graduate Program.

Known for his humor and wit, Bill greatly enjoyed reading, traveling, genealogy and photography. He gained a deep love of the west and all things cowboy during his younger years at the remote Little Outfit Ranch School, near Patagonia, AZ. He helped spearhead the addition of the Little Outfit Schoolhouse to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 2009. He cherished summers spent with family and friends at the family beach cottage in Atlantic Beach, NC, and his memories of those times were among his fondest.

The son of Admiral and Mrs. Wilson D. Leggett Jr., he is survived by his two sons, Wilson D. Leggett IV of Centennial, CO and Robert G. Leggett of Atlanta, GA, as well as his five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He married twice, Suzanne Garner in 1955, and Margaret Booth in 2011.

He had a charismatic personality, was a gifted storyteller, and was a treasured father. He was passionate about leaving the world a better place for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He will be laid to rest with family at the Greenwood Cemetery in Tarboro, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Little Outfit Preservation Group, 3560 Thimble Peak Place, Tucson, AZ 85718.

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