In Memoriam: Bill Eaton, Former Chairman of the Board at Cini-Little

Cini-Little International announced earlier this week the passing of William V. “Bill” Eaton, FFCSI (PP), on Feb. 12. He previously served as the firm’s chairman of the board.

Cini-Little says Eaton was a pioneer of foodservice consulting and that his career, which spanned over five decades, helped shape the modern foodservice industry.

Eaton’s career in foodservice started at Cornell University, where he studied engineering and foodservice. After graduation, he worked in various operational roles, including positions at The Statler Inn at Cornell, before joining Marriott Corp. and later Hot Shoppes. In 1971, he joined Cini-Grissom Associates, now present day Cini-Little. In his time at the firm, Eaton helped transform it from a small Bethesda, Md., startup into a global foodservice consulting firm.

“Bill was more than a colleague—he was a mentor, visionary, and dear friend to countless professionals in our industry,” Kathleen Held, president/CEO of Cini-Little, says in the release. “His legacy lives on in the thousands of kitchens he designed, the professionals he mentored, and the standards of excellence he established.”

Other highlights of Eaton’s career include his role in helping to develop the FCSI Educational Foundation and his time spent as past president and fellow of FCSI. He was a trustee and life member of the Cornell University Council and held leadership roles at SHFM. He also judged the National Restaurant Association’s Kitchen Innovations Awards.

Eaton’s daughter Pam Eaton, who worked alongside him at Cini-Little for 20 years, reflects: “The depth and breadth of what I learned from my dad is tough to wrap my head around, much less put into words. I think E.M. Statler said it best, and dad lived it— ‘Life is Service.’ And service was his passion—to his family, his colleagues, Cornell, his profession, and so many other pursuits. Everything I do is touched by how he taught me to live.”

Eaton is survived by his wife, Phyllis, whom he met while both worked at Marriott and married in 1966, his four daughters and their families, including 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, Maryland, with details to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Family Scholarship at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, the FCSI Educational Foundation, or Compass Regional Hospice of Centreville, Maryland.