William Hines Linder

William Hines Linder crossed the finish line on November 11, 2024, at age 90. Born January 17, 1934 in Florence, South Carolina to parents Mildred Hines Linder and John Edwin Linder. He was predeceased by his younger brother Peter who died in 2011.

Raised in Florence, Bill moved to Columbia in 6th grade, attending Schneider Elementary School and graduating from Dreher High School in 1952. He learned to read before first grade, and became a life-long lover of books.

He attended the U.S. Military Academy where he earned his bachelor’s degree and graduated in 1956. His West Point experience was pivotal to his life, and taught him, above all, to persevere under duress.

Post graduation, Bill served as a U.S. Army lieutenant in the 11th Airborne Division, where he made 13 parachute jumps, before entering the field of military intelligence. Proud to participate in the Cold War, he attended Army language school in Oberammergau, Germany, to become a Russian language interpreter interrogating defectors from the Soviet Bloc.

While in Europe, he developed a love of fast cars, especially Porsches, which he raced on European tracks. Finishing his Army career, he stayed in Germany to study at the Ulm School of Design, working on such projects as modular housing.

Bill returned to the U.S. to earn master’s and doctorate degrees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, he worked on solving engineering issues with computers, a novel idea at the time. In Boston, he met his wife Lynne. Noting his subscriptions to both The State and The Columbia Record, she knew his heart was in South Carolina.

Marrying in 1967 and returning to Columbia, Bill became USC’s first full-time computer science professor, teaching for 12 years. A deep interest in community led him to local politics, where he served on the school board. In 1978 he ran for Richland County Treasurer as one of the first Republicans to win county office, serving 3 terms for a total of 12 years.

Inspired by his son’s success in the nascent sport of triathlon, he competed in his first triathlon in 1984 at age 50. The challenge sparked a passion for competitive sports, particularly endurance events, which continued for the rest of his life.

Racing 12 Boston marathons and 12 Ironman triathlons, Bill was most proud of qualifying for and competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Competing 5 times, he finished 2nd in his age group in 2011.

He continued to race into his late 80s, completing his last 5k in 2023. Along with his love of competition, Bill equally cherished the camaraderie and long-lasting friendships he found in the local athletic community.

He is survived by wife, Lynne; son, William and his wife Elizabeth; daughter, Caroline McNeill; grandchildren, William Linder, Teddy Linder, and Josephine McNeill; and sister-in-law Dee Henry.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Cathedral on Friday, December 6 at 11 a.m., with reception to follow.