On December 12, 2024, Bill Easterly was presented with the prestigious Briggs Medal.
The Steel Founders’ Society of America recognizes the outstanding contribution toward the technical and operating advancement of the industry of Bill Easterly of Effort Foundry with the Charles W. Briggs Memorial Technical and Operating Medal. The SFSA Board designated Bill for this award; he is the 72nd recipient of the Briggs Medal since its inception in 1944.
He received the Briggs Medal at the 2024 T&O Conference, and a donation in his name was made to the Steel Founders’ Society Foundation. This award is one of the Society’s top three honors bestowed upon individuals like Bill who have demonstrated their commitment to service for the steel casting industry.
Bill’s tenure in the society dates back to the society’s geographical divisions. He chaired and presented at divisional T&O meetings and was a session chair at the national T&O. He was also a High Alloy Research Committee member.
In recent years, Bill has provided tours, supported research, and been an advocate for Effort’s participation in surveys and for using SFSA resources. To the benefit of our industry, Bill has taken his pallets of “props” to provide over 150 foundry schools. This year, he presented his 9th T&O paper.
Bill graduated from Lafayette College with a BS in Metallurgical Engineering. After starting at US Steel, Bill returned to Ingersoll Rand, where he worked as a general laborer in college to be a Foundry Metallurgist, and progressed through positions including Foundry Manager. During this time, Bill attended night classes at Lehigh for his MBA.
He has enjoyed a long foundry career, including Effort, Penn Steel, McConway & Torley, and Atchison. Bill’s work for many decades to help the industry makes him well-deserving of the distinction of a Briggs Medal recipient.
