Former Billboard Chairman William D. Littleford Dies May 21, 2009
By Mitchell Peters, L.A.
Former Billboard chairman William D. Littleford, whose grandfather William H. Donaldson founded the trade publication in 1894, died peacefully at his home in Princeton, N.J., on May 14. He was 94.
Littleford, known to his family and friends as Bill, was born Aug. 14, 1914, in Fort Thomas, Ky. He attended the University of Cincinnati and entered Billboard Magazine in 1934. His brother, Roger S. Littleford Jr., joined the publication one year earlier.
The two brothers first served as apprentices in the composing room. “My brother joined the company in 1933," Littleford wrote in Billboard's 100th anniversary issue in 1994. "I followed in the fall of 1934, when Billboard's very profitable, 'lifesaving' 40th anniversary was being published."
Littleford was 11 years old when his grandfather died, but remembered hearing fond stories about the Billboard founder, who was described as both a shy man and a practical joker. "He could work incessantly and mostly alone, but then disappear to be with his family," Littleford wrote in 1994. "He had to be a gambler. Otherwise he would not have bought out his partner for $500 in 1900 and recklessly converted to a weekly with the issue dated May 5, 1900."
Littleford spent most of his publishing career at BPI Communications, where he eventually became chairman emeritus in the mid-1980's. He was GM of Billboard from 1943 until 1958, when he became president and CEO, positions in which he held until the sale of the magazine in 1985.
In June 1984, a memo went out to the Billboard staff announcing the Littleford family's intention to sell the company that was by then called Billboard Publications Inc. -- or BPI. It was a bombshell for the Billboard's staffers, who had grown accustomed to working for a family institution. But their fears were calmed when a group of their own managers, led by Billboard Group Publisher Jerry Hobbs, emerged to buy the company with the backing of investment firm Boston Ventures. The selling price was just under $40 million.
The deal closed on Jan. 17, 1985. Hobbs took the title of president and CEO of BPI. Littleford became chairman emeritus, maintaining the last link with the family that had run the business for over 90 years.
Littleford also devoted his time to working with charities and other organizations. From 1960-1961, he served as chairman of American Business Media. In 1997, he established the William D. Littleford Awards for Corporate Community Service, which recognizes companies, organizations and individuals who are involved with community service programs designed to alleviate social problems. Littleford was also named an honorary director for his work with the Advertising Counsel.
Following the death of his first wife, Mariana Weber, in 1957, Littleford married Marian Hastings Towne. The couple played an instrumental role in the founding of the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust on Vieques Island in Puerto Rico. They also founded the William & Marian Littleford Foundation. The organization funds various charities, including the Marian & William Littleford Fund, which provides scholarships to students at Roslyn High School in Long Island.
Marian passed away last year. Littleford is survived by his sister, Marjorie Littleford Ross; his children Anne, Joseph, Michael and Terry; and his grandchildren Ryan, Ariel and William.
A memorial service for Littleford will be held May 28 at Calvary Church (277 Park Avenue South at 21st Street) in New York City at 10:30 a.m. Flowers donations in his memory can be made to the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust. The address is Calle Flamboyan 138, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765.
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