William Tripp was born in Dedham, graduated from Dedham High School in 1939 and attended Northeastern University. During World War II he joined the First Corps of Cadets (Massachusetts National Guard). He then entered the Army Air Corps and became a pilot with the 9th Air Force flying the A-20 and A-26 in England and France. He was awarded many service honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters after flying 65 missions. He also received the European Theater of Operations, five Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, the American Defense Medal for service in Pearl Harbor, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Following the war he joined American Airlines, where he worked in management for 30 years. He moved from Dedham to Brewster in 1979 and worked as a bartender for Eastward Ho! Country Club in Chatham for 12 years. He was a member of the Orleans Yacht Club, Van Guards of American Airlines, and was a founding member of the American Air Museum in Britain.