William Pitt had a long career in electrical engineering.
William gained a Bachelor of Engineering, electrical and mechanical, in 1948. He worked for the State Hydro-electric Department until 1954, including involvement in post-war maintenance of installations, power station design and national power supply operations.
He then established and ran his own consulting practice, William H. Pitt and Associates, from 1955 to his retirement in 1991. After initial structural engineering commissions, he specialised in designing electrical systems for buildings, particularly hospitals.
William served on numerous committees dealing with electrical regulation and standards, including the Wiring Regulations 1961, the use of electrical devices in medical procedures, isolating transformer safety and oil industry regulations.
William was instrumental in promoting preservation of heritage refrigeration machinery and was involved in voluntary restoration works of the cable car and Hikitia floating crane in Wellington.
