William Mathis

Adm Mathis certainly left a legacy. I was proud to have served with him as Commander, Naval Forces Korea as his journalist/photographer and public affairs assistant. He was a true Navy leader, bringing those around him up the ladder with him, mentoring, and showing kindness and empathy. I was honored to have written quite a few of his speeches. He and Pat were very busy and always involved in the community. I interviewed Pat and her quilting club for a story in the command's quarterly...

Served with ADM Mathis on USS Adroit MSO 509. At that time he was XO, 1967-69. A fine and well respected officer. I could tell some good stories. In 2001 my wife Jane and I put together an Adroit reunion in Wilmington, NC. Bill attended to our surprise, along with some other shipmates. It was a great reunion.

Remember him when we were living in the Strawbridge Home in Eldersburg Md. he was a good athlete.

We remember Admiral Mathis and his lovely wife Pat from our days in Charleston. They were a wonderful couple.

Bill was a truly fine American and exemplary leader. While I never served under him, my CO on REID, Buford Howell, had the utmost respect for him. FOX was the senior ship during a missile exercise we on REID participated in, and his assembly of the participants, exercise guidance, and flexibility during the event were striking to me as a first tour department head. Later, when I was a Commander and the Base Transition Coordinator in the SF Bay Area, I got to know him reasonably closely for...

I was a first class Boatswains Mate on the USS Fox when Captain Mathis asked me to personally pipe him over the side at his change of command.
I stood at the end of the officers ranks. Captain Mathis shook the hands of all his officers as he moved down the ranks. When he got to the end I began piping Over the Side and saluted. Tears running down my cheeks as I blew into my Boatswains pipe as loud and is long as I could. As I finished the last note and everyone dropped their salutes...