CAPT. William S. Manning Sr. USN Retired

1938 - 2024

Capt. William S. Manning, Sr., USN, Retired

June 6, 1938 - September 30, 2024

William S. Manning passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon September 30, 2024 at the age of 86. Bill, as he was known, was born in Washington, NC, June 6, 1938 to Fletcher A. Manning and Mary Carolyn Squires Manning. He loved his family and the night before his passing he was with his wife Sandra, as they enjoyed looking at pictures of their great-granddaughter, Charlotte. When they woke up the next morning, they enjoyed looking at pictures of their great-grandson, Fletcher. They said it was a wonderful way to end one day and start the next.

Bill was survived by his wife; Sandra Manning, with whom he was married for 64 years, while also dating for six years, creating a lifetime love story. Additionally, Bill was survived by three sons; William S. Manning, Jr. (Susan), Jeffrey A. Manning (Kimberly), Scott F. Manning (Victoria); a brother Michael E. Manning (Deborah); two granddaughters, Ashleigh Manning and Meghan Manning; five grandsons, Kyle Manning (Haileigh), Andrew Manning (Katharine), Matthew Manning, Austin Manning and Logan Manning; two great-grandchildren, Charlotte Manning and Fletcher Manning. He was predeceased by his brother, Fletcher A. Manning, Jr. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, and brother.

Bill was a career naval officer, having graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in May 1960 and then married his bride in June. He started his career stationed in Newport, RI on the USS C. F. Adams. He then transitioned from surface ships to submarines and attended Sub School in New London, CT. Following Sub School, he served on the USS Harder, Charleston, SC; the Naval Intelligence Staff, Pearl Harbor, HI; USS Odax, San Diego, CA; USS Sea Fox, San Diego, CA; He then returned to surface ships and attended Destroyer School in Newport, RI. Following Destroyer School, he served on the USS Fox, San Diego, CA; USS Towers, San Diego, CA; the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) Staff, San Diego, CA; Commanding Officer USS Waddell, San Diego, CA; National War College, Washington, DC; and the Aegis Program Office, Pentagon, Arlington, VA. Bill was awarded the Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal, the SURFPAC Ship Handling Award, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal. Bill retired from the Navy in November 1986 as a Captain, having served his country for 26 years. After his naval career, Bill went to work as a DOD contractor in various capacities, serving as a Program Manager and performing business development. He retired from the contractor world in 2004.

In addition to loving his family, and his pride in serving in the Navy, Bill enjoyed golf. He started playing as a young officer, but had to take a hiatus to raise a family. He picked it up again later in life and grew his love for the game. He enjoyed the Dominion Club Senior Golf Group and served as president in 2009. One of his great joys was playing golf with his three sons and enjoying a beer at the club house once the round was finished. He was a sports enthusiast and played squash and tennis at the Naval Academy, where he served as captain of the squash team. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan having grown up watching Ted Williams. He was thrilled that he lived long enough to see them win a World Series. He instilled his love of sports into his three sons, and then to his grandchildren. Bill loved to learn and went back to school to get his MBA from Marymount University. Additionally, Bill was a member of the Richmond Kiwanis Club, and also served as an Elder at Three Chopt Presbyterian Church, a testament to his lifelong strong faith.

The family will have a private family memorial service and will schedule a celebration of life service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Cedarfield library and/or the Parkinson's Foundation.