NEW ORLEANS, LA | It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. William B. Conway, Chairman Emeritus and past President and CEO of Modjeski and Masters. In his long and distinguished career, he has made significant contributions to the firm and the bridge industry, and was a mentor to many engineers.
Mr. Conway graduated from Dartmouth College in 1952 and received a Masters of Science in civil engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering in 1954. After serving as a Seabee in the US Navy at Quonset Point, Rhode Island for two years he began his extraordinary career at Modjeski and Masters in 1957 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
He moved to New Orleans in 1961, fell in love with the city and made it his home. Mr. Conway became a partner in Modjeski and Masters from 1969 until his retirement in 2007, having served as CEO since the firm incorporated in 1992 through 2004. His career included many notable milestones and accomplishments, particularly in long-span bridge design. He was in charge of eight award winning Mississippi River Crossing projects, including the Interstate I-10 Bridge in Baton Rouge, the Interstate 310 Bridge at Luling and the Greater New Orleans #2 Bridge, which was the second longest cantilever span in the United States. Later projects directed by Mr. Conway included the seismic retrofit of the steel portions of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in California and the widening of the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi. Mr. Conway received many engineering awards including the prestigious John A. Roebling Medal for lifetime achievement in bridge engineering.
Mr. Conway was active in various New Orleans charities. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trinity Episcopal School from 1978 to 1980. He was also involved in the founding of the St Thomas Community Health Clinic in New Orleans. He was a member of numerous New Orleans social clubs and Carnival organizations, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Conway served until recently as a Trustee of the West Chop Club in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where he spent many summers with his extended family, dear friends and his beloved boat of many decades, the Blue Jay.
After his retirement, he remained actively involved in the Modjeski and Masters New Orleans office, various engineering societies, and continued to provide technical advice and expertise as a part-time consultant. Mr. Conway was respected and appreciated by all and will be sorely missed.
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Remembering an Engineering Icon, William B. Conway
