William James “Bill” Tingue died on May 8, 2025, at the age of 85.
Tingue dedicated his entire professional life to the family business, Tingue, Brown & Co., a supplier to the industrial laundry industry founded by his grandfather in 1902. He steadily advanced through the company, becoming CEO in 1992. After retiring in 2007, he remained active as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth, expanding into new markets through its Meese division and broadening its offerings to laundries with the acquisition of Talley Machinery.
A respected leader in the industry, Bill was recognized by several chapters of the National Association of Institutional Linen Management (now the Association for Linen Management) as Allied Tradesman of the Year. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Textile Rental
Services Association (TRSA), receiving TRSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and was a founding board member of the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA).
Born in New York City and raised in New Canaan, Connecticut, Bill was a graduate of the Choate School and Brown University. While at Brown, he co-founded the Brown Rugby Club and participated in the Naval ROTC program. Shortly after graduating, Bill married the love of
his life, Diane Edmondson Crater—known as “Dookie”—and began his two-year service with the United States Navy in the fall of 1962.
Tingue found joy in golf, fly-fishing, and most of all, hiking the mountain trails near his home in Sun Valley, Idaho, alongside his beloved wife, Dookie. He was a proud grandfather, and nothing brought him more happiness than spending time with his four
grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Morrison Tingue and Marjorie Stewart Tingue; his sister, Molly; and his daughter-in-law, Robin. He is survived by his wife, Dookie; daughter, Margret Shuford (Robert); sons, David (Andrea) and Chris; and four grandchildren: John (Hannah), Anna, Darby, and Hayden.
A memorial service will be held later this year
