William Raymond Yetman

1930 - 2024

You will be dearly missed!

William "Bill", 92, of Annandale, VA died September 4, 2023. He was known as a Christian gentleman, a family man and an outstanding Naval officer. Bill and his twin brother, Bob, were born to Anna Margaret (Dawson) and Christopher Walter Yetman on December 15, 1930 in Meadville, PA. During the summer of 1953, he met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Schreiner. They married October 8,1955 in Norfolk, VA and enjoyed a 60-year romance. He went on to be the best dad to Debbie and Ashley, a devoted grandfather to Drew, Ben, Matt and Will and an adoring great-grandfather to Henry.

He graduated in 1948 from Meadville High School, where he was the Winner of the Navy Scholarship and the Marg Watch Award for Highest Scholastic Standing in Athletes. William attended the University of South Carolina on a NROTC scholarship. While there he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was voted by his brothers as the most outstanding pledge. In June 1952, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an Ensign, USN. Bill went on to earned an additional Bachelor of Science degree, in Communications Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from George Washington University at the Naval War College.

During Bill's 30 years of dedicated service as a United States Naval Officer, he was awarded two Legion of Merit Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals and the Navy Commendation Medal. His tours included USS Deuel's First Division Junior Officer, Little Creek's Division Staff Operations Officer, USS Waller's Operations Officer, Communications Officers on USS Helena and USS Oklahoma City, Executive Officer on USS Noa and USS Columbus, Commanding Officer of USS Manley, USS Yosemite and Destroyer Squadron 6. He served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of Naval Communications, Politico-Military Division, Director of Naval Telecommunications Division and as a Communications Officer for Commander-in-Chief Atlantic Fleet and NATO, as well as an International Affairs Officer helping to establish the Joint Space Research Facility in Pine Gap, Australia. Upon retirement, Bill became a realtor with Sampson Realty and then Long & Foster where he was a Life Member of the NVAR Million Dollar Sales Club and was awarded the 1992 Salesperson on the Year for VA/WVA.

Bill loved history and was an avid reader, crossword and Sudoku puzzler and continued his love of learning throughout his life. He had remarkable luck and an incredible memory. Bill enjoyed playing softball, basketball, golf, bowling, tennis, and bridge, as well as bird watching, Bill was a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, VA, Sons of the American Revolution Fairfax Resolve Chapter, Federal Families of Old Monmouth County, American Legion Post 177 and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mainly of Irish and Scottish descent, Lord WRY earned the title of Lord of Glencoe and Lochaber through his parcel ownership in Scotland.

Bill is survived by his two daughters Deborah (Yetman) Larsen and Ashley Yetman; his grandsons Andrew "Drew" Larsen and his wife Brittany (Madden); Andrew "Ben" Laing; Matthew Larsen; William Laing; his only great-grandchild, Henry; his brother Marvin (now deceased), as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years Shirley, his parents Walter and Anna, his sisters Anna and Imogene and four of his brothers, John, Severn, Edward and his twin Robert.

To remember and celebrate William's life, a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday October 21, 2024 at Memorial Chapel located on Joint Base Ft. Myer/Henderson Hall. Guests should arrive early for the security check at the Hatfield Gate located at 2nd St. South and Washington Blvd in Arlington, VA. ALL non-DoD or non-federally-affiliated visitors are encouraged to pre-register at https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh. The service will be followed by a burial at Arlington National Cemetery and a reception on base at Patton Hall. Arrangements for Bill's burial have been entrusted to Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home. Condolences maybe offered to the family at www.fmfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the William R. Yetman Scholarship Fund at Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity University of South Carolina. Checks can be made payable to "PKSAASC" with William R. Yetman Scholarship Fund written on the memo line and mailed to Steve Counts 296 Brooks Rd Brooks, GA 30205.