Captain USN, Retired, William Winfield Meadors who led a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy died after a long illness.
Funeral services was held at Grace United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Md. Interment followed in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Garrison Forest, Md.
Upon graduation from North Georgia College at Dahlonega, GA, in 1940, he was in the first class of midshipmen to be commissioned at Northwestern University in Chicago. During World War II, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star as gunnery officer of USS Heermann where he performed remarkably against the Japanese Armada.
He served in the Navy after WW II for 31 years. His career encompassed many outstanding commands, including commands of the DDE USS Foss, DE USS Damato and AKA USS Thuban. His last tour of duty was President of the US Naval Review Board. He retired in June 1971.
Moving to the Shenandoah Valley in the town of New Market, VA he became a professional volunteer. He built his home and the American Legion building. He organized the New Market Rescue Squad, and he served 16 years as its Captain of the Rescue Squad, then 13 as its President. He was active in his Methodist Church and served as the chairman of the official board and served as its conference representative for many years. He was also a Mason and a Shriner.
Grateful for his life, he leaves his wife of 59 years, Jacquelyn Jones Meadors; four daughters, Diane Worley of Denver, PA, Pamela Moyers of Portland, OR, Wendy Geiger of Williamsburg, VA, and Alice Mack of Baltimore, MD; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Irby Meadors of Atlanta; and two sisters, Alice Pate of Macon and Elia Harrell, St. Simons.

Week of May 8, 2005