William Joseph Flynn

1923 - 2015

Commander William J. Flynn, USN (Ret.), "Bill", 92, of Annapolis, MD and previously of Crofton, MD passed away on May 10, 2015. Born on February 4, 1923 in New Haven, CT to the late Charles T. Flynn, M.D. and Josephine B. Flynn, Bill, attended Yale University for one year prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1941 with the Class of 1945. After wartime accelerated graduation in 1944, he was commissioned an Ensign. His first assignment was convoy duty in the North Atlantic until the end of World War II on the USS WINSLOW. Subsequent assignments included the USS CORAL SEA, two tours as instructor at the Naval Academy, command of LSM-397 in the Amphibious Force, and Executive Officer of the USS HUNTINGTON. Bill served as the Commanding Officer of the USS SUMNER which included patrol activity during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Prior to retiring from active duty he was Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Depot, Macon, GA. Upon retirement in 1966, Bill joined the private sector, at Stanwick Corporation and ARINC but returned to the Department of the Navy as a civilian in 1969. He ultimately retired from federal serve in 1985 as the Aircraft Carrier Ship Design Manager in the Surface Warships Division of the Naval Sea Systems Command. Bill was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Officers Association of America and the Naval Academy Alumni Association. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, annual winter trips to Key Colony Beach, FL, and time by his pool. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Charlotte. He is survived by son, Peter (Susan) Flynn of Crofton, MD; daughter, Harriett (Gus) Diakoulas of Grasonville, MD, and grandchildren, Nolie, Mara, Alexa and Natalie. He took great joy in their lives, adventures and love of traveling the world. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium.