Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
William Mathers Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Mathers
Colleen Cochran
February 5, 2026
I first met Bill over 30 years ago when I began working for him at Pacific Sea Resources in Annapolis, MD. What started as a job turned into a lifelong friendship. Over the years, Bill became a friend to my 3 children as well. I will always remember Bill´s hearty laugh and his gift for bringing people together as well as his passion for any idea, project or a person he held dear. I was lucky to be one of those people.
Fair winds and following seas, Bill.
Simone Ash Barnard
February 4, 2026
.... when reading Bill's message in 'Treasure of the Concepcion' i thought I'd try to get in touch one more time ... sadly 2 weeks too late.
Farewell Bill, a full life well lived.
Simone Ash Barnard
February 4, 2026
I met Bill in Singapore in about 1977 through my then husband, Peter Barnard. Bill became a good friend, we sailed with him on So Fong and played tennis at our house in Ridley Park. He encouraged me to learn to scuba dive. This became a passion during my remaining years in Singapore.
He visited us in London and then disappeared.
Yesterday I read his message in 'Treasure of the Concepcion' and thought I would try again to find him.
Jane Winn
February 1, 2026
I am saddened to hear that the ever strong and enthusiastic Bill has passed away. I send my condolences to his family and many friends.
I knew Bill from East Woods Grammar School, and although we were seldom in touch, every so often he would call and we would enjoy catching up.
His life was amazing. His accomplishments were wide and varied, and with his sharp brain, witty sense of humor, and deep caring for others and his projects, he outdid us all. His kindness ran deep, and for all those many people who were lucky enough to know him, we will all feel his loss terribly.
Wishing you peace. Jane
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Condolences from IpcoMarine Staff
January 29, 2026
The staff of IpcoMarine extend their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Bill´s family.
WMM, as Bill was affectionately known among us, will always hold a special place in our hearts. Bill´s approach to life, treating everyone as equals regardless of rank or cultural background, brought out the best in each of us. His warmth and kindness, his cheerful laughter and genuine smiles will never be forgotten. His memory will forever be cherished by all who knew and worked with him.
The enduring impact WMM left on those around him:
David Yeo, D C Wu, Edwin Seow, Eileen Foo, Mimi Berro, Razidah Sahlan, Cecilia Lee, Julie Ho, Ricky Tan, Jega Yehambaram, Joris Chua, Nancy Wee, Simon Chee, Loh Chung Wang, Wong Teck Cheong.... the list goes on and on....
Nick Gosse
January 27, 2026
43 years ago Bill we looked out together over a piece of jungle on the coast of Labuan Island in the South China Sea and tried hard to imagine what it was we had to construct....and we delivered ! Rest in peace my friend.
Charles 'Chuck' Hardeman
January 26, 2026
Never to be forgotten, WMM, you were responsible for almost all of the great opportunities that came my way from the US Navy Diving School to a career based in Latin America to Singapore. Rest peacefully, dear friend
Mike Flecker
January 24, 2026
I copy one of the last messages I sent to Bill:
"I have an upcoming lecture to the V&A Academy, where I will touch on the Concepcion. In fact I gave a talk exclusively on the Concepcion for the opening of the Manila Galleon exhibition at the Singapore Asian Civilizations Museum last year. In these talks I describe you as my mentor, and way ahead of your time with archaeological documentation. Ahead of the institutions that still try to smash us. You have always worked flat out, always looking for new and better solutions. This has been an inspiration to me, and still is.
I understand and admire your ongoing drive, with a range of projects, with the marathon. But when under the weather I hope you can take the time to step back, do something less intense, and reflect on your many achievements."
Of course Bill never steps back. Which is part of the reason I admire him so much. From when he signed me on as crew on So Fong in 1984, to incarceration in Vietnam, to years in Ipco, to diving supervisor on the Concepcion excavation (without qualifications), to teaming up on the 13th century Java Sea Wreck, to eventual immersion in maritime archaeology, Bill had an immense impact on my life.
Thanks mate.
Mike Flecker
January 24, 2026
I copy one of the last messages I sent to Bill:
"I have an upcoming lecture to the V&A Academy, where I will touch on the Concepcion. In fact I gave a talk exclusively on the Concepcion for the opening of the Manila Galleon exhibition at the Singapore Asian Civilizations Museum last year. In these talks I describe you as my mentor, and way ahead of your time with archaeological documentation. Ahead of the institutions that still try to smash us. You have always worked flat out, always looking for new and better solutions. This has been an inspiration to me, and still is.
I understand and admire your ongoing drive, with a range of projects, with the marathon. But when under the weather I hope you can take the time to step back, do something less intense, and reflect on your many achievements."
Of course Bill never steps back. That's why I admire him so much. Ever since he took me on as crew on So Fong in 1984, through incarceration in Vietnam, years with Ipco, as diving supervisor on the Concepcion (without qualifications), teaming up on the 13th century Java Sea Wreck, and becoming immersed in the world of maritime archaeology, Bill has had an immense impact on my life.
Thanks mate.
DY
January 24, 2026
WMM, we in IpcoMarine always addressed him this way. He is very friendly to all of us, regardless of whether you are yellow, black, or white. After joining Ipco for a week. He banded my desk and told me seriously, "Do not call me Mr Mathers, just call me Bill, otherwise I will sack you." That's WMM.
Cecilia Lee-Stanlake and Chris Stanlake
January 23, 2026
I had just arrived in Singapore from South Wales when I heard the jungle drums´ sad news about Bill´s demise.
I started work as a secretary with IpcoMarine in Singapore in 1981. When Bill began his expedition in search of the Spanish Galleon, La Nuestra de la Concepcion in the Mariana Islands, he invited me to join him as the Project Secretary with his team in Singapore. He said to me, "I strongly believe that you will find the Concepcion experience better than traveling Asia first class with a Scandinavian executive!" Indeed!
Subsequently we sailed to Saipan on the Suhailli for the first year and then the Tengar the second year.
Bill transformed me from secretary to diver, sharing his passion for the amazing underwater sea world. Our two seasons above and below the ocean waves were the best time of my life and the memories are still vivid and filled with joy. Thank you, Bill!
Bill is gone but he will never be forgotten.
My husband, Chris who also worked with Bill at IpcoMarine joins me in sending our sincere condolences to Bill´s families and friends.
Toby Condliffe
January 23, 2026
Having known Bill from our high school years and having remained life long friends, I have many stories I could tell but will tell two from our time as junior officers in the U.S. Navy. We were stationed in Washington DC and lived near each other on Capitol Hill. Bill was training in the Anacostia River to be a hard hat salvage diver.
A Chief Petty Officer in Bill´s unit moonlighted as a bar tender. When Nixon was reelected, they needed lots of extra bar tenders for the Innaugural Balls. Bill and I ended up tending a cash bar together at one of the ballrooms at one of the hotels (the Shoreham, I think). Bill noticed that a man asking for a drink was wearing a Congressional Medal of Honor and decided his drink should be free. Before long, other Congressional Medal of Honor winners were finding their way to our bar.
My second story concerns when Bill had a two week leave. He set off on his motor cycle for Florida where he met his brother, Michael, I think. (Michael, please add to this story.). They wanted to meet women and placed an ad in the local paper seeking women for a "national modelling assignment." They took calls at a phone booth and said they were from out of town and would meet applicants the next day on the steps of the local library.
The first applicant the next days was an English woman named Chalks Leventon. She saw right through them but signed up as their secretary for the other interviews!
Chalks and Bill hit it off and set off together for Mexico on Bill´s motor cycle. They returned together to Washington. Chalks moved in with Bill until he finished his training. I saw them both often. I will email Chalks as she lives in England and likely doesn´t know of Bill´s death.
Later after Bill´s misadventure in solitary confinement in North Vietnam, we saw each other in Canada where I had moved to marry a Canadian doctor. Bill was building a catamaran out of cement in the Niagara peninsula near Toronto. We remained in touch. I was looking forward to seeing Bill this coming May at our 60th reunion at Yale. I will be thinking about him as will many others of our classmates.
Celia Lowe
January 22, 2026
A very strange thing happened. I hadn't spoken with Bill for 6-7 years, and out of the blue yesterday I decided to Google him. Within 6 hours of the creation of this website, I learned the sad news of his passing! I can imagine his face being shocked by this coincidence.
I first met Bill in Sri Lanka when he was aboard So Fong and I was aboard Taku. I continued up the Red Sea and he returned to Southeast Asia where he eventually was imprisoned and lost So Fong in Viet Nam. The next time I saw Bill, I actually, again coincidentally, heard his Viet Nam story on the evening news from my home in Connecticut. We reconnected at that point. When I lived in DC, I had the chance to join him on his catamaran and at his lovely home on the water in Maryland. I did some research for him on maritime wrecks at the National Library. I saw him for the last few times when he was making trips to Seattle where I live now. He was an incredible person, always engaged in an adventure, and very open to meeting all kinds of people. I send my warm condolences to his family.
Bill Gibson, Middlesex '62
January 22, 2026
My sincere condolances to his family. I rember Bill well from Midlesex and loved reading about his adventures after graduation. He will be missed.
Rick Considine
January 22, 2026
Bill came into my life a couple of years ago, having moved from Florida to Portsmouth, NH. I also met his lifelong friend, Hank Parker when he moved his stuff into the Storage Business I was running. All 3 of us were USN ROTC guys, and an instant friendship formed! I asked Bill with his extensive Maritime experience if he would consider joining the BOD of Sail Portsmouth, which he willingly did, and contributed greatly to the organization. I also introduced him to Portsmouth's Seacoast Rotary club, where he also became a valued member. More importantly, he practically became a member of our family and spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with us. Our whole family admired him!
We already miss him greatly, and hope he is helping in Heaven with his wonderful attention to detail and capability in getting things done!
Fair winds and smooth sailing, Bill, we loved you!!
Don Rabinowe
January 22, 2026
Like many others who Bill touched throughout his eventful life, Bill saw something in me I didn´t see myself. For that and much more, thank you Bill Mathers!
Roger Errington
January 22, 2026
In 1982 I flew to Singapore for a two week job interview with Ipco Marine. Bill picked me up at Changi Airport. It was nearly two years before I returned to pack up my things in the United States. In that time I had multiple sailing adventures with Bill on So Fong. We worked together in Iran in 1983 on the Chabahar Port project, which as Americans was a unique experience. When I moved my family back to the US in 1999, we spent two enjoyable days staying with Bill on his catamaran in Annapolis. Although we have talked by phone over the years, I think that may be the last time I saw him. Lots of good memories. A life well lived. Bill, I hope you saw your Pilot face to face, when you crost the bar.
Jennifer Faraone
January 22, 2026
My most sincere condolences to Bill´s Family. Bill was a fine friend and a true gentleman. Known him for about 40 years since his days in Singapore.
Was hoping that he would visit Singapore again soon as he had mentioned in last year or so.
Yes he was amazing in his discipline as a sportsman.
We remember fondly how some of us had wonderful time at his Asian Party at his Home in Annapolis many years ago.
Thank you for friendship Bill.
Jennifer Faraone
( Singapore)
Chris Carl
January 22, 2026
What an amazing human being, inspiration and friend. Bill was a true gourmand, appreciating cuisine and cultures; concentrating on their similarities not their differences. He always sought the best in people and graciously allowed for human frailty. I miss him already and always will
Laurence "Buzz" Bussey
January 21, 2026
Bill, as you sail off into your next sunrise...we MISS YOU TERRIBLY!! You were an integral member of our S.U.R.G.E. (Seacoast Undersea Research Group Expeditionary) team, and with your extensive experience in the undersea world, were highly valuable formulating the plans the team has for this season. Personally, I met Bill at a meeting of the Portsmouth Collaborative, a couple of years ago. We hit it off instantly, as he introduced himself as a Navy diver, of which I was also. So many good times together I treasure, and Bill, "Fair Winds and Following Seas". Your Underwater Buddy - Buzz
Laurence 'Buzz' Bussey
January 21, 2026
Sail off into the sunrise, Bill! We miss you greatly!! For the past couple of years, Bill has been a valuable team member of our group. S.U.R.G.E. (Seacoast Undersea Research Group Expeditionary). Involved in numerous planning sessions, Bill's exceptional knowledge of undersea cultural resources, coupled with his hand's-on experience in marine archaeology and diving, laid the groundwork for the undersea exploration we have planned for this season. I met Bill at a Portsmouth Cooperative meeting, and when he introduced himself as a Navy diver, we had an instant connection. I was a Navy diver, involved in experimental and saturation diving with the Sealab III program; conducted a world record depth of 850' from an open bell with the MK I Deep Dive System, of which I was CO. Bill and I spent countless hours recalling our underwater history. We had plans to explore possible Phoenician and U-Boat underwater sites just off our coast this season, but we'll still continue that project, and Bill's spirit will guide us...of that I am sure! Your Underwater Buddy, ~ Buzz
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Make a Donation
in William Mathers's name
Memorial Events
for William Mathers
Funeral services provided by:
Northeast Cremation Service - Portsmouth84 Broad St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
People and places connected with William
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support William's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor William Mathers's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
