Bethlehem Steel Chief to Assume Trautlein Post

Bethlehem Steel Corp. on Wednesday appointed President and Chief Executive Walter F. Williams to replace retiring Chairman Donald H. Trautlein.

Williams, 57, will retain his present titles and duties when he becomes chairman June 1, the day after Trautlein, 59, retires.

Gary Graham, spokesman for the Bethlehem, Pa.-based company, said the action was taken at a board meeting in New York.

Williams has been chief executive of the nation’s third-largest steelmaker since last March 1 and president since June 1, 1980.

Trautlein, who became chairman and chief executive June 1, 1980, presided over the company during an industry slump that led Bethlehem to report losses of about $2 billion over the last four years.