WILLIAM SLATER ALLEN Allen was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 20, 1904 to Philip and Helen S. (nee Reed) and was a descendent of Rhode Island Governor (1851-1853) and United States Senator (1853-1859) Philip Allen (Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame 2002) and the notable French Huguenot zealot Gabriel Bernon founder of the Cathedral of St. John in Providence in 1722.

Allen was educated at New England prep schools and enrolled at Yale University's Sheffield Scientific School where he used his early interest in amateur radio to experiment in the design of radio tubes and was active in the development of very high frequency (VHF) communications. Allen graduated from Yale in 1927 and joined the Providence industrial firm of Allen and Reed, Inc. where his father held the position of treasurer. The firm had begun in 1902 as a wholesale corporation of industrial supplies especially pipes, valves, and fittings. The company also engaged in the conversion of Rhode Island cotton weaving and spinning mills to make the new orion and nylon "wonder fabrics"

In 1939 Allen was appointed by Rhode ISland Governor William Henry Vanderbilt as chairman of the Rhode Island Industrial Rehabilitation Commission where he served until 1941. In the years before the United States involvment in World War II Reed and Allen became involved with lend-lease war production. At the same time William Slater Allen co-founded Franklin Machine and Foundry which manufactured mounting bases used for antiaircraft guns during the Battle of Britain. He also served as president of Textile finishing and Machinery which manufactured subassemblies for the 20mm Oelikon automatic antiaircraft gun which ws the most numerous antiaircraft weapons used aboard Allied warships during the war.

Allen left his civilian responsibilities to join the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was influential in the Navy's decision to open a naval air station at Quonset Point rather than at one of several other considered sites. He was laso involved with night fighter training at that installation.

The end of World War II brought Allen back to civilian life and to Allen and Reed. He married Elizabeth Grinnell (nee Lawrence) and together they had two sons one of whom went on to serve as Attorney General of Rhode Island during the administrations of Governor John H. Chafee (1963-1969). In 1949 Allen ascended to the presidency of Allen and Reed and the company enjoyed immense prosperity in the post war period and on into the 1950s and 1960s while expanding into Connecticut.

In his years as company president and up fo his retirement and beyond, Mr. Allen was a civic and business leader in many fields. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the former Providence National Bank and the Providence Chapter of the American Red Cross. He served on the Board of Trustees that reopened Butler Hospital and on the Board of Directors that founded the Rhode Istand Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a lifetime member of St. John's Cathedral founded by his ancestor and served on the governing board of the Cathedral Corporation for many years. Mr. Allen also co-founded the New England Wireless and Steam Engine Museum in East Greenwich, Rhode Istand which still welcomes visitors today.

Williams spouse, Elizabeth, was also active in many civic and charitable organizations and sauses throughoput her life. Together the Aallaens made a difference to the people and the quality of life within Rhode Island over many, many years. William Slater Allen dies on April 25, 1991 at the age of 86 and was buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.