Author, educator and retired cardiologist William Haynes dies at 98

William Forby Haynes, Jr., a retired cardiologist, author, educator, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died peacefully on Dec. 31 after a short hospital stay surrounded by his loving family. He was 98.

Bill’s life was punctuated by his deep faith, his undying kindness and gentleness, his ever-present smile, his quick wit, and his persistence, or as his wife said – his stubbornness. His love of Aline was profound, and their relationship only deepened in the last few years of his life as his health was slowly declining. He also had a deep love of nature, and his trees (he often bragged he had planted 5,000 at the farm that he so loved in Pa.), and he enjoyed walking in the multiple fields surrounding the farmhouse. He was a quiet man who found contentment in just being.

Bill was born in Newark on June 6, 1926. His father died when he was 12, and being an only child, he had a beautiful relationship with his mother, who instilled in him his love of God. He graduated from Newark Academy in 1944, having left in March of his senior year to attend the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. After attending 17 classes in four months, Bill was on a Merchant vessel in the Pacific. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theater till the end of the war, then spent the summer of 1946 as a Third Mate on a ship carrying German and Italian POWs to the U.S., and American GIs to and from the U.S. His years at the Merchant Marine Academy and serving in the war and later in the Navy were a formative part of his life and he treasured those years and the relationships he made there.

He credits the education he received there and the responsibilities he shouldered at the early age of 17 as essential building blocks for the rest of his life, including his legendary perseverance and discipline.

Bill began his studies at Princeton in the fall of 1946, graduating in 1950. At Princeton, he was active on the swimming team and was a member of Cottage Club. He loved Princeton and only missed reunions once. He cherished walking in the big Princeton Reunion P-Rade. Bill enrolled at Columbia P&S Medical School in the fall of 1950, graduating in 1954. After a one-year internship, he went on active duty in the Navy as Lt. JG, as a medical officer, and served an additional two years (1955-1957). While on this tour of duty, which was during the Hungarian Revolution, he tended to escapees his ship picked up in Bremerhaven and took to the United States. He was very proud of his 64 Atlantic crossings, his four in the Pacific, and his two voyages in the Caribbean.

As Bill treated numerous patients from many countries and backgrounds, he was instilled with an awareness and empathy towards the hopes and dreams of all people. He loved being at sea, high up on the ships looking out at the water and the beautiful sky. So peaceful!

Upon return from his Navy duty, Bill finished his four-year residency and moved to Princeton with his new bride, Constance Simpson. They raised three wonderful children and were both active in the community. He began his practice as a cardiologist in 1960 and soon founded Princeton Cardiology Associates, a premier cardiology group still in existence. He also served as an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Four years after his divorce, Bill married Aline Linehan James in 1984 and they shared a beautiful 41 years together. After a very successful practice, he retired in late June 1997 at age 71 and started his studies at La Salle University in Philadelphia in September to earn his master’s degree in theology. He graduated with honors in 1975. He then served as an adjunct professor of theology at LaSalle and as a guest lecturer at the Princeton Theological Seminary.

Never one to stay inactive, Bill then wrote several books on medical issues and the power of prayer. He and his co-author of “Is There a God in Healthcare,” Geffrey B Kelley, became quite the duo for giving talks up and down the East Coast, which he loved doing. He also wrote a book on his time at sea, which he dedicated to his grandchildren.

Bill was a believer in exercise, and throughout his life until the pandemic, he either swam daily or worked out at the Princeton University gym. He was an excellent athlete, which he passed on to his three children. He took up golf at the age of 88 to join Aline on the links.

He was one of the original members of the Princeton Officers Club, and quite proud that he could still wear his dress uniform decades after leaving the Navy. Bill often served as the group’s chaplain, saying prayers at the beginning of each dinner gathering.

Bill served twice on the Vestry at Trinity Church, his parish for many years, and was always a welcoming presence to church visitors. He was an active member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis, and he had just met with a dear friend and fellow member a month before he died.

Bill served as president of his Class of 1950 at Princeton. He also served as president of the Princeton University Friends of Swimming and was helpful in the planning and fundraising efforts for Denunzio Pool. He competed often in swimming events culminating in his winning two third-place medals at the WORLD Masters Championship meet at Stanford University right after his 80th birthday.

He was always young at heart. He loved to dance with Aline and he even took tango lessons with her for a cruise they were about to take when he was in his late 80s. He was always quick to pick up his harmonica whenever his son, David, or his grandson, Curtis, arrived with their guitars. They formed a little band called the “Rhône Riders”. He was found tapping his drumsticks to music just a month ago.

Bill certainly lived life to the fullest. That smile rarely left his face. He will be so missed. He was enthused with a love of God and the “feeling of the presence, ” which gave him great peace and contentment. He was blessed with this great spirituality throughout his life. He was never one to shout it out to others, but one had to be impressed with his calmness and sense of serenity. It was a gift. His love of nature was passed on to his children and grandchildren, and the times spent at his farm were a highlight in his family members’ lives.

At Bill’s side when he died were his wife, Aline; daughter, Suzie Haynes Halle; son, David Haynes; and son, Bill Haynes. He leaves eight adoring grandchildren who affectionally called him “Pop-Pop.” He was their inspiration and model of how to live a loving and fulfilling life.

The family would like to thank his wonderful, caring internist, Dr. Doug Corazza for his excellent care and empathy, and Bill’s wonderful two aides, Booker and Rana, for their tireless help and good humor. They were each so caring with Bill and the family is so thankful.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of Princeton Swimming. Visit makeagift.princeton.edu/athletics and select “Friends of Club Swimming” from the “Give to Clubs or Campus Recreation” dropdown menu or call (609) 258-8508.