From collection Member List
William R. Ireland was a successful businessman, philanthropist, and lifelong member of Phi Delta Theta. Born on December 3, 1923, Ireland grew up in Gadsden and Birmingham, Alabama. In 1941, Ireland entered Auburn University, where he joined Alabama Beta Chapter. After graduation, he attended the Marion Military Institute and served in the United States Navy.
After his military service, Ireland worked for his family’s construction business, Vulcan Materials. Throughout his 39-year career, he held several roles, including president of two subsidiaries, vice president of the company’s Midwest division, and manager of community relations. Under his leadership, Vulcan Materials was featured in a Business Week article that detailed the company's expansion into the Midwest.
Ireland generously donated to many organizations, including Alabama Beta Chapter and Auburn University. In honor of Ireland’s dedication to the school, Auburn named the Ireland Fisheries Laboratory and the William R. and Fay Ireland Distinguished Scholarship in his honor. In 1986, Alabama Beta Chapter named their new chapter house library for Ireland.
Ireland’s passion for the outdoors drove him to donate his time to many wildlife conservancy organizations. He served on many organizational boards, including The Gulf Coast Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, The National Audubon Society, and The National Wild Turkey Federation. From 1992 to 1933, Ireland served as president of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. He also worked to pass the Forever Wild Constitutional Amendment to the Alabama State Constitution, securing $350 million for land acquisition and management to increase outdoor space for Alabama citizens.
William Ireland passed away on March 5, 2009.
After his military service, Ireland worked for his family’s construction business, Vulcan Materials. Throughout his 39-year career, he held several roles, including president of two subsidiaries, vice president of the company’s Midwest division, and manager of community relations. Under his leadership, Vulcan Materials was featured in a Business Week article that detailed the company's expansion into the Midwest.
Ireland generously donated to many organizations, including Alabama Beta Chapter and Auburn University. In honor of Ireland’s dedication to the school, Auburn named the Ireland Fisheries Laboratory and the William R. and Fay Ireland Distinguished Scholarship in his honor. In 1986, Alabama Beta Chapter named their new chapter house library for Ireland.
Ireland’s passion for the outdoors drove him to donate his time to many wildlife conservancy organizations. He served on many organizational boards, including The Gulf Coast Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, The National Audubon Society, and The National Wild Turkey Federation. From 1992 to 1933, Ireland served as president of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. He also worked to pass the Forever Wild Constitutional Amendment to the Alabama State Constitution, securing $350 million for land acquisition and management to increase outdoor space for Alabama citizens.
William Ireland passed away on March 5, 2009.
