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William Jarnagin Obituary
He was born in 1961, in Morristown, Tenn., to Mary and William Jarnagin from Morristown, Tenn. Willie retired from the U.S. Navy Submarine Service in 2003, having served for over 21 years. His many duty stations included the USS Pittsburgh, USS Toledo and the USS Alexandria, as well as being an instructor at the Submarine School in Groton. He was awarded the meritorious service medal, several Naval and Marine Corps commendation medals and various campaign and service awards. He served as chief petty officer for seven years. He traveled extensively while in the Navy, after retiring, he settled in Niantic.
For the past 10 years, Willie has been the program manager for the SubHDR National Maintenance Center, Newport, R.I. continuing to support his Navy's submarine program. His fleet support has earned him many accolades over the years and his dedication will be greatly missed.
Willie was a big fan of formula one racing and cars in general, and he was an avid reader, but spending time with his family was his favorite past time.
Along with his parents, Willie is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 28 years; son, Benjamin; and sister, Patricia Boshears; his mother-in-law, Joy Bale; and sister-in-law, Christine Hanlon.
At Willie's request, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered in a beloved place. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to a charity of your choice in Willie's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Jarnagin
Layne Wyckoff/NSWCCD
June 26, 2013
My prayers are with Willie's family and friends during this time for mourning and I hope that peace from knowing our Lord and Savior will fill your hearts. Willie was a true professional and was always ready to help. It was an honor to know him over the last 10 years as we worked together on the SubHDR program. We will surely miss Willie and his can do attitude.
God Peace
Phil Haley
June 17, 2013
Had a blast serving with you. Rest in peace my friend.
Chaplain Ray Fritz
June 14, 2013
Our sincere condolences to Barbara and Benjamin and all of Willi's family, friends and loved ones. You are in our thoughts and prayers that God will give you peace, comfort you in your sudden loss and sorrow, and heal the brokenhearted. We are grateful for Willi's long and dedicates service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service. To our "Brother of the Phin" ... "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones. Thank you for your service to our country." -- Rev. Ray Fritz, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.
Heather Boiani
June 11, 2013
Willie it was a great honor working with you for the past 10 years at the NMC. You will be sadly missed by so many but never forgotten. Rest In Peace
Diane Arrieta
June 10, 2013
Willie you will be missed by me and my whole family you were a great friend and we had a lot of fun times together at many picnics. We love you. Rest in peace while you are resting in Heaven give my Dad a big hug for me.
Chris Griffin
June 10, 2013
Willie,
You have left a lasting legacy and will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend
Dan Sherry EMCM(SS) Ret
June 9, 2013
Willie,
It was a pleasure serving with you on the USS TOLEDO and maintaining contact with you in the years since we retired. You will be missed and I am proud to say you were a fellow submariner and shipmate.
Barbara Jarnagin
June 8, 2013
Ben and I are simply overwhelmed by the support of so many people whose lives Willie had touched. Thank you for the kind words. It gives us strength we didn't know we had.
Craig Flynn
June 7, 2013
Love, honor, respect, dedication- Willie Jarnagin was the real deal, thank you for sharing him with us.
Barry Smith
June 7, 2013
Oh the things you and I did on the Key...we had a blast messing with the COB...RIP my friend!
Kim Hawkins
June 7, 2013
It was a pleasure to work with Willie for the past 4 years at the NMC. His dedication and work ethic is the standard by which all employees should strive to attain. He was slow to anger, full of patience and always gave credit to his team while taking the blame for any mishaps. We will do our best to keep the NMC to the high standard he has set. You are much missed my friend.
Larry Gulliver
June 7, 2013
Barbara,
If it wasn't for Chief J, I would not be where I am today. He is one of the greatest an influences in my life, both as a Sailor and a man. His ability to lead by example stands as a cornerstone to what the title Chief Petty Officer means to me and he provided the fatherly guidance of a great man that will never be forgotten.
Our prayers are with you and Ben. Please remember that you will always have family here.
June 7, 2013
Honor and a privilege to serve with such a fine man, Willie and I stood many watches together on the Toledo. Rest in peace.
Mark Mandile (CMDCM Ret.)
June 7, 2013
It was an honor and a privilege to work with such a kind hearted man like Will. Always willing to help someone. He will be deeply missed by the TCI team. Rest in Peace Will.
Carolyn Forst
Jeff Weaver
June 7, 2013
Willie not only taught me how to be a chief, but he was my barometer on how to behave as a man, friend, husband, and father. I will miss you terribly.
Paul Bristol
June 6, 2013
You were a mentor and a friend. Rest In Peace brother.
Andrew Neely
June 6, 2013
Very saddened by the news of Chief Jarnigan's passing. He was a wonderful mentor to myself and other young submariners. Thoughts and prayers for Chief and his family.
Andrew Neely
June 6, 2013
I have many fond memories of Chief Jarnagin and am saddend by the news of his passing. He was a mentor to me and many other young submariners. Thoughts and prayers to Chief and his family.
KDave Trinh
June 6, 2013
It was an honor and pleasure serving with Willie. Always looked forward to our reunions with each return visit to CT. A great man and dear friend. My deepest condolences to Barbara and Ben.
Chris Weber
June 6, 2013
Willie - You were an outstanding mentor and shipmate. You and your family will be in my prayers
Keith Post
June 6, 2013
While I did not have the honor of serving with Willie, he is a navy and submarine brother. Thank you for your service to your country Chief, and now sailor you have the eternal fair winds and following seas you have richly earned. We send our condolences to his wife Barbara, and all of his family and friends.
Keith F. Post, Executive Director
St. Marys Submarine Museum
102 St. Marys Street West
St. Marys, GA 31558
Raymond Garcia
June 6, 2013
Willie, our days go back to 1989 in SUBSCOL. You taught me a lot and even after the Navy you still gave me Fair Winds and Follwing Seas to work with. You will never be forgotten. "God Bless you and your family"
Wendell Maciejewski
June 6, 2013
Thank you for your unselfish help whenever I needed it, for your warm smile and friendship.
Darrin Way
June 6, 2013
A great shipmate, friend and mentor. We could always count on Willie. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Jeff Burke
June 6, 2013
Willie, It was a privilege and an honor to know you. I'm glad we kept in touch through out the years. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I hope you and Danzis are tipping a few together. Fair winds and following seas!!
Nick Nichols
June 6, 2013
To Barbara and Family,
On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Willie's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one. All SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Willie will always be remembered as a “Brother of the Phin” and a great Patriot.
RMCS(SS0 William C. Jarnagin
US Navy Retired
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, Base Chaplain
Brian Mathis
June 6, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time for mourning. You were a Great Shipmate that will never be forgotten.
David Valentine
June 6, 2013
Willie, rest your oar, shipmate. I was privileged to work with you when we are at NAVSUBSCOL, "chasing rates" and also in our later lives. My thoughts and prayers go to your family. May God rest you, my old mate.
Scott Mason
June 6, 2013
Willie,
You will be sorely missed in the Chief's Quarters! You were a good man and someone that I could turn to for the answers. Fair Winds and Following seas my friend!
Bob Acheson
June 6, 2013
Willie, you are a great friend and coworker. It has been an honor working with you at the NMC and we will continue your legacy of dedication to the Navy!
You are missed!
Bob
Jeremy Reed
June 6, 2013
Willie,
Thanks for all the guidance early on in my EMO tour and late night conversations about the state of the
fleet. Always professional and focused on the sailors needs. We always ended our calls with laughter. Fair winds.
Darrell Short
June 6, 2013
Willie, I will miss all of the humor and good times we had back in Sub School... My deepest sympathy to your family.
Darrell Short
Michael "Mongo" Schultz
June 6, 2013
Barbra, Accept my sincere condolences and my much appreciated gratitude that Willy was my mentor. He will be missed, but fondly remembered.
Susie Quinn
June 6, 2013
Sorry for your loss Ben.
Rae Tackett
June 6, 2013
Willie, you have been in my thoughts the past few years. I treasure our friendship and wish we had kept in touch. Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate! You will be sorely missed.
William Lawrimore
June 6, 2013
Willie, Your passing was indeed a shock, the Submarine community lost a great Shipmate! As a fellow Chief, I feel I am not out of line when I say, all of our brother's who wear the anchors would absolutely have benefited from having you in their Locker. As good a dedicated Chief and family man as they come, RIP Brother, you are indeed in great company in the Chief's Quarters up above!!
Paul LaFrance
June 6, 2013
Willie, you are a true gentleman and a valuable advocate for the people working under you. I am truly grateful I had the pleasure of knowing you. Kim and I will miss you dearly. Take care my friend!
Michael Vishion
June 6, 2013
I an thankful for the opportunity to have worked with you over the last 10 years. Your professionalism, dedication and friendship will be greatly missed. To your family and loved ones, you have my sincerest condolences.
Donald Frink
June 6, 2013
On of the BEST, will always remeber you.
Tom Downie
June 6, 2013
Willie,
You will be missed but not forgotten. I have enjoyed working with you and admired your dedication in all your endeavours.
Andrew Papadakos
June 6, 2013
Willie, you were a great friend, colleague and shipmate! You will be deeply missed. Every time I watch a F1 race I'll think of you! Rest your oars shipmate!
June 6, 2013
Willie, you were the definition of a gentleman and professional. The national maintenance center owes more than I can say to you and you will be missed more than I can say. I hope you are charting a course to the second star on the right and onward to morning.
Tom Floyd
Earl Goodby RMCM(SS) Ret
June 6, 2013
You are a shipmate never to be forgotten.
June 5, 2013
Willie - always enjoyed our banter and focus on the submarine force! Fair winds and following seas - I'll miss the calls (and humor). Vince C.
George Hunt
June 5, 2013
Willie, you will be missed. As a new CPO, I learned so much from such a great man. Your sense of humor and down to earth demeanor is how I will always remember you. Our families condolences and prayers to your family.
Larry Louviere
June 5, 2013
Shipmate - you and I had some great times and I will miss you - if I had to pick only one Radio Chief - it would be you - you were a rare breed and I will never forget you!
Kenneth Houman
June 5, 2013
Willie you will be missed very much!!!!! Thank you for all your dedication and support to this great country of ours and Thank you for all of your leadership and knowledge you passed on to me. It was a pleasure to serve with you. RIP!!!
Mike Gerry
June 5, 2013
Willie, Thank you for your wisdom. I learned a lot from you during your time on the Pittsburgh and when we met up again while you were working with the HDRs. God bless you and your family. You will be missed. Mike Gerry
Andy Miller
June 5, 2013
Without a doubt the best friend I ever had in the Navy and most of life, Can't imagine how I would have made it through some of it without your help. Will always miss you my friend.
James Garcia
June 5, 2013
Willie, thank you for your leadership and advice over the years. You were a great mentor to many and you will be missed by all! A great man taken to soon. God bless you and your family. RIP Chief!
ETCS/ss (Ret) James Garcia
Mike McLauchlan
June 5, 2013
We will miss you Willie. We were the best watch section on the Key. We had some great times in the 80's. sorry we lost touch over the years. Fair winds and seas abeam shipmate. BT AR
ETCM(SS) (Ret) Mike McLauchlan
Served together: USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN 657)(BLUE) 1985-1989
Douglas Vandevander
June 5, 2013
William
You will be missed. I learned a lot from you over the years. I am sorry it had to end so soon. God Bless you and your family.
Doug Vandevander
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