William
 F.
Barnett

WILLIAM F. BARNETT JR. was born in Camden NJ in 1901 to William F. and Jenny Barnett. William F. Barnett Sr. was living at 219 Stevens Street according to the 1890-91 Camden Directories.  As a youth William Jr. attended the E.A. Stevens Elementary School at 430 South 4th Street, and later graduated from Camden High School. At the time of the 1920 census the family owned a home at 337 Clinton Street in Camden, where the elder Barnett worked as a foreman on the Pennsylvania Railroad. William Barnett Jr. was then 18, and the only child living at home. He was working as a clerk at that time, and later worked in the auto accessories business. By 1924 the family had moved to 1511 Wildwood Avenue.
     William F. Barnett entered public service, and served as chief clerk of the Camden War Price and Rationing Board. In February of 1945 he was appointed executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, succeeding Horace R. Dixon. William Barnett proved to be a highly effective administrator. During his tenure he oversaw the construction of two new developments, McGuire Gardens in East Camden, and Roosevelt Manor in South Camden. He also implemented racial integration of Camden's public housing developments.
      William F. Barnett suffered from heart trouble. He survived a 1949 heart attack and another one in 1950. On February 13, 1957 he suffered a fatal heart attack while driving. Taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, he passed away that afternoon. WI