Lt. Commander William Kenneth Petticrew

Lt. Commander, William Kenneth Petticrew, Jr., died on Monday, May 18, 2009, in Austin, Texas. He was born on July 17, 1922, in Clifton Forge, Virginia to William Kenneth Petticrew, Sr. and Dewey Mary Smith Petticrew. Ken grew up in Danville, VA, graduating from George Washington High School in 1940. He attended VPI for one year before going to the United States Naval Academy in 1941, where he later graduated and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy on June 6, 1945. Ken served aboard the Battleship, USS Maryland and Cruiser, USS Manchester. He served on the West Coast and in the Pacific as Radiological Safety Officer. Ken resigned from active duty in 1947 and was called back into service in the US Navy from December 1951 to October 1953, where he was assigned to the duty of Chemical and Atomic Safety Officer for COMNAVFE, in Yokosuka, Japan. He remained in inactive Navy Reserve until 1972, and commanded Navy and Reserve Surface Units in Pennsylvania and Missouri. In his civilian life Ken worked for Dan River Mills in the Engineering Department from 1947 to 1952. He later worked for Atlas Powder Company, in Industrial Engineering, then as Manager and Director of Production, from 1954 to 1982. Ken worked as a consultant for Nobel Insurance Ltd. as President of Nobel Safety Services and as President of Explosive Safety Services from 1982 to 1988. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia, a 3rd degree Mason, he was appointed Blue and Gold Officer in Wilmington for the Naval Academy, a member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce and local VFW, member of the Methodist Church in Joplin, MO, member of the Exchange Club, member of the American Society of Chemical Engineers, member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, member of the Society of Explosive Engineers, member of Austin Chapter of The Retired Officers' Association, Treasurer of the Austin Chapter of The Retired Officers' Association from 1991-1993, President of The Retired Officers' Association from 1993-1994, a Life member of the U.S.N.A. Alumni Association, Life member of the TX-EX Alumni Association, member of Lakeway Men's Breakfast Club, Chairman of City Parks' Commission, member of Lake Travis Arts League, Director of Lakeway Homeowner's Association. Ken joined the Episcopal Church in 1966 and was a member of St. David's Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, where he served on the Vestry and was appointed Jr. Warden twice. He moved to Lakeway in 1985, and became a member of St. Luke's on the Lake Episcopal Church. After retirement, Ken and his wife travelled extensively. He enjoyed golfing, sailing, and going to Longhorn football and baseball games. Ken is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, of 63 years, the former Elizabeth Andree Abell, sons, William Kenneth Petticrew, III, and wife Thelma, Walter Abell Petticrew and wife Jody and daughter Elizabeth A.P. Kaetzel and husband Chris; granddaughters Nicolle Petticrew Rotteveel, Anna Kaetzel and Karly Petticrew; grandsons Christopher Kaetzel and Arthur Petticrew; great-grandson Nathan Rotteveel, step-grandsons Brandon and Michael Deaton; sister, Anne Petticrew Elliott; nine nieces and nephews; ten great-nieces and great nephews. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at St. Luke's on the Lake Episcopal Church, 5600 RR 620N in Lakeway. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to U.S.N.A. Alumni Association, Class of 1946, or to St. Luke's on the Lake Episcopal Church.