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Obituary: Dr. William F. Little

Posted on March 19, 2009 by Staff

William F. “Bill” Little, a member of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty for more than 40 years, a former vice president of the UNC system and a visionary leader who helped guide the development of the state’s Research Triangle Park and the Research Triangle Institute, died Friday (February 27) at home in Chapel Hill. He was 79.

A native of Hickory, N.C., and one of nine children, Little was born in 1929 and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology and mathematics from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1950. He came to Chapel Hill that year as a member of the first class of Morehead scholars, earning his master’s degree in physical chemistry in 1952 and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1954.

Little began his teaching career at Reed College in 1955 but returned to Chapel Hill the following year as an instructor in the department of chemistry in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences and rose rapidly through the professorial ranks; he became chairman of the chemistry department at age 35. He was appointed University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1996. Little also served in a variety of important administrative roles at Carolina, including vice chancellor for research, development and public service, 1973-78, and interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, 1991-92.

His involvement with the Research Triangle Park and the Research Triangle Institute, now known as RTI International, coincided with the beginning of those two enterprises and continued until his death. In 1957, he was appointed by then Gov. Luther Hodges to serve on the Research Institute Committee, charged with evaluating the possibility of creating a scientific center in the Triangle area. In addition to his direct impact on RTP and RTI, Little inspired and guided thousands of chemistry students at Carolina. It was during his tenure as chemistry chair that the department grew dramatically in both faculty numbers and national stature, enhancing the Triangle’s reputation as a center for scientific excellence.

“The role that Bill played in the birth of the Research Triangle is hard to overstate and his contributions and dedication to the growth and strength of the sciences and economic development in our region will long be felt,” said Chancellor Holden Thorp, who studied under Little in the 1980s and has considered him a dear friend since. “But Bill’s greatest love was our chemistry department and especially its young faculty. He created a culture where the coins of the realm were wisdom and encouragement. He was a giant.”

To honor his numerous contributions to RTI and its chemistry program, the institute dedicated the William F. Little Medicinal Chemistry Building in 2003. His 50-plus year commitment to RTI and the RTP was highlighted again when he spoke at the State of RTP breakfast on February 26, challenging and inspiring a gathering of business leaders about the promise and possibilities that lie ahead during the next 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, Dell, of Chapel Hill; daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Denis Marcellin-Little of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Arianne and Julien Marcellin-Little of Wake Forest; sister, Sheely Miller of Greenville, SC; brother, Arthur H. Little of Hickory; and beloved nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to The National Humanities Center, The College of Arts and Sciences Foundation, or a favorite public radio station.

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