In Memory of William Conway (1929 – 2021)

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of our colleague, mentor and friend William Conway. As a member of our advisory board for almost two decades, Bill's deep knowledge and understanding of wildlife conservation have helped to guide our foundation’s mission. 

Bill was an accomplished ornithologist, zoologist and conservation biologist who began his career as a curator with the St. Louis Zoo. He served the New York Zoological Society for 43 years, expanded and rebuilt much of the Bronx Zoo, included the city zoos of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn and effected the Society’s major evolution from New York Zoological Society to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), creating an international conservation program working in more than 50 nations. He retired as president in 1999. 

He expanded the programs of WCS globally and contributed to the development of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association writing both its Accreditation and Species Survival Program and working to focus the Association on the extinction crisis. Bill sought to catalyze the creation of parks and wildlife protection globally and served on the boards of many wildlife organizations. He authored more than 250 articles and reports relating to wildlife conservation, endangered species propagation and ornithology and traveled widely promoting wildlife conservation.

His visionary influence has helped shape wildlife conservation and zoos for decades. His lifelong interest in wildlife, and his eloquent and persistent advocacy for species conservation, helped guide the philanthropic priorities of Liz Claiborne, Art Ortenberg and their Foundation for many years. 

Our heartfelt condolences are with his wife Christa ‘Kix’ Conway.