OBITUARY William Richard Andrews November 26, 1922 – September 9, 2018 September 9, 2018, marked the passing of another hero of the “greatest generation”. William Richard Andrews was born on November 26, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Raymond L. and Lillian C. Kerr Andrews. He attended public school in Philadelphia and Woodbury, New Jersey, before joining the Navy in the V-5 Aviation Cadet program in 1942.
He completed Navy flight training and was commissioned as an Ensign, USNR at Pensacola, on September 17, 1943, beginning his life-long connection to Pensacola. The next day, in what is now All Faiths Chapel on NAS Pensacola, he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia G. Lorang (Ginny), who preceded him in death in 1995. He had an illustrious tour as a Navy carrier pilot in World War II completing over 80 combat missions, serving in Squadrons VC-83 and CVE-83.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and several Air Medals and commendation ribbons. After his release from active duty in WWII, Bill attended Rutgers University where he received his law degree in 1949. He remained active in the Naval Reserve by working as a Navy ferry pilot.
He was recalled to active duty during the Korean conflict and served as a carrier pilot until 1953 when he left active duty in Korea with the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve. Bill was employed by the Office of Naval Intelligence Philadelphia in November 1953. In 1956 he transferred to Navy Base Yokosuka, Japan, where he was the second Special Agent and first married Special Agent to be assigned there, living off base with Ginny and his young daughters, Carol and Judy in Hayama.
He returned to headquarters at the Pentagon in 1959 and settled with his family in Fairfax, Virginia. Shortly thereafter he was selected Supervising Agent Naval Investigative Service Honolulu, a post he held for five years. In September 1965, he transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana, and served as Regional Director of Operations for US Naval Intelligence Southern Region until 1974.
Always great lovers of the beach, in 1972 he and Ginny purchased a home in Villa Sabine on the Little Sabine on Pensacola Beach, where they retired in 1974 to enjoy fishing, boating, swimming and entertaining which included many visits by their daughters with their spouses, and their grandchildren, along with scores of visitors from around the country and globe. They were actively involved in the Villa Sabine neighborhood and in civic life on Santa Rosa Island. A lover of adventure, in retirement Bill continued to travel, going on at least 25 space-available trips around the globe, making life-long friends wherever he went.
In 2001 he married Pensacola native Judith Woerner and moved to the Cordova area of Pensacola where they enjoyed dancing, golf, gardening, entertaining, music, friends and family. He was a hero to many people. He is survived by his brother, Raymond Lester Andrews, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, his daughters Carol A. Roberts (Joe) and Judith A. Wild (Buzzy); his grandchildren W. Christopher Wild (Yolande), David A. Roberts (Damie), Meridith C. Wild, and Stephanie R. Kling (James) along with three great grandchildren – Willow, Madeline, Isla, Virginia, Camille, and William Bennett.
In addition, he leaves behind current wife, Judy and her family: daughters Laura Schiesl (Jerry) and Susanna Tempesta (Andy) and their children Carolyn Pittman (Michael) Joanne Olive (Richard) Judy Meyer (Steve), Noah Fileding (Taryn), Joseph Tempesta, Mary Tempesta, and Michael Tempesta. A funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at All Faiths Chapel-NAS Pensacola. Visitation will be one hour prior.
Interment with full military honors will immediately follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. If you plan on attending his services, please meet at Oak Lawn Funeral Home at 11:15 a.m. to go in procession to NAS.
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