FLORIDA, April 30 – William Sydnor Settle, of Palm Beach, FL, died on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Hospice of Palm Beach County. He was 79. Mr. Settle was born on December 27, 1933 in Alberta to Mabel Jones Settle and Robert Bruce Settle.

He received a Bachelor's Degree from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia in 1955 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School in 1957. He was a member of the Virginia Law Review and taught Introduction to Law as a senior. He was a retired Senior Partner of Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett in New York City. He specialized in corporate law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Settle dedicated himself to many worthy causes. He was Chairman of the Board of Hampden-Sydney College for 14 years and Trustee for 22 years. In 1991, Settle Hall was named in his honor. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ. An avid golfer, Mr. Settle was also President of the Metropolitan Golf Association.

He resided in Palm Beach, New Vernon, NJ and Newport, RI.

He is survived by his wife, Noel; son, William Settle Jr. and wife, Nancylee; daughter, Lisa Settle Callaway and husband, Norman; six beloved grandchildren; brothe,r John Howard Settle and wife, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Settle; sister-in-laws, Elizabeth “Bettie” Settle and Georgia Alverson; and several beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a brother, Robert Bruce Settle and brother-in-law, James Maynard Alverson Jr.

Funeral services will be held at Hampden-Sydney College, on Saturday, May 4 at 3 p.m.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Hampden-Sydney College or Newport Hospital in Newport, RI.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.shorterfuneralhome.com