William Marvin Putnam USN CDR RET

April 18, 1929 – September 4, 2024

William Marvin Putnam passed peacefully into eternal life on September 4, 2024. The gift of his 95 years left a legacy rooted in his Catholic Faith and devotion to his family.

His siblings knew him as “Marvin,” though over his long life he was affectionately known as, “Bill,” “Best Pal Daddy,” “Black Shoe,” “Apa,” “Grandpa Dadoo,” and “Billiam.”

William was born on April 18, 1929, in Maywood, CA, unto William Harvey Putnam and Maud Leigh Dunham. As a young boy, William came upon the book, Things a Boy Can Do with Electricity, and there began his fascination with electricity. Rumor has it this led to many unconventional experiments with amusing outcomes. Miraculously, he survived into his adult years and, when he turned 18, enlisted in the United States Navy to become an electronics technician. He advanced in rank at an unprecedented pace, making Chief within 6 years. His call sign was “Radio Man,” a nod to his love for CB radios. In all, he gave 30 years of honorable service, including tours aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS George Clymer (APA-27), USS Topeka (CLG-8), and Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8). He served in both Korea and Vietnam and retired as a Commander in 1977. His military honors included the Air Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, three Good Conduct Medals, and the Meritorious Unit Medal. His service inspired future generations of soldiers, sailors, and aviators.

The momentum of his military career allowed him to seek and find what would become his two great loves: His faith and his family. While in the service, he met a chaplain who instructed him in the Catholic faith, which ultimately led to his conversion. He became a catechist at Mother of God Church in Waukegan, Illinois, where he met the love of his life, also a catechist, Eva Marie Heraver. Their first date brought them to St. Benedict’s Abbey in Benet Lake, WI, where they prayed a rosary together. William would later hear from the nuns, “She is the one for you.” William and Eva were married on August 22, 1959, and thus began their great adventure. They were blessed with seven children, Margaret Mary, Rosemary Ann, John Joseph, Patricia Marie, Thomas Anthony, Maryann Ellen, and Christine Marie. William assigned unique jingles to each of his children (a tradition he would later carry over to his grandchildren). Their childhood was peppered with outdoor escapades, laughter, and whimsy. William prioritized and meticulously planned annual family vacations, which led to the purchase of a pop tent camper, pulled by a VW van. After a trip to Disney World, the Putnam Family famously dubbed themselves the “Chip-n-Dale 9.” In awe over God’s handiwork, William spear-headed several cross-country camping trips so that his children could behold the beauty of God’s creation, including: The Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert, Arches National Monument, Stone Mountain, Mammoth Caves, Carlsbad Caverns and The Great Smokey Mountains. His children will forever tell the story of chugging up Monarch Pass going 20 mph while being cheered on by a band of motorcyclists as they reached the summit. There was also the unforgettable time when William discovered that all of his children had hidden “souvenir” animal bones from the desert inside the van. William’s inquest, “What is that smell?” resulted in the longest laughing spell in the history of the Putnam Family. Every day of every road trip began with William leading his family in the Rosary.

William was a tinkerer, a collector of old radios and clocks, and a lover of trains, Crown Royal and Canadian Mist Whiskey. The dawn of the internet brought with it William’s interest and interaction with online bulletin boards devoted to Catholic apologetics. He often shared with the family his written defenses, which were beautiful essays weaving together Sacred Scripture and Church teachings with great enthusiasm and love for the person he was engaging. One might never know the full impact on those with whom William interacted, but grace saw to it that he witness the conversion of his son-in-law, Christopher Eagle, who also became his best friend and devoted caregiver (along with his wife Maryann) for nearly 20 years. Later, his family would learn of others who had converted through William’s great witness and defense of his Catholic Faith. To his dying day, William prayed for the conversion of those who had strayed from the Faith and those seeking the light of Truth. Merciful Lord, hear William’s prayers.

As a long-time parishioner at St. John the Evangelist, William served as a lector, reading the Word with great devotion. He later became a parishioner at Little Flower Catholic Church, his spiritual home for over 25 years. William was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, a Third Order Benedictine, and a member of the Legion of Mary.

William is reunited in death with his beloved wife, Eva Heraver; his mother, Maud Leigh Dunham; his father, William Harvey Putnam; his step-father, Thomas Cook; his brother, Allen Putnam; and his grandsons Jeremy Putnam and Andrew Jubera. He is survived by his brother, James Cook of Missoula, Montana; his seven children, Margaret (Cynthia Hizer) of Covington, Georgia; Rosemary (Steven Kammerer) of Sharpsburg, Georgia; John (Susan Horsefield) of Pass Christian, Mississippi; Patricia (Stephen Phillippi) of Folsom, Louisiana; Thomas (Phaedra Moran) of Midlothian, Virginia; Maryann (Christopher Eagle) of Pensacola, Florida; and Christine (William Rosa) of Madison, Alabama.

He has 25 grandchildren: Andrew Jubera, Christian Kammerer, McKenna Kammerer, Jeremy Putnam, Aaron Putnam (Megan Beyer), Gabrielle Putnam (Joshua Lang), John Putnam (Sarah Jane Alvarado), Luke Putnam, Sara Putnam, Jonah Phillippi, Joshua Phillippi, Clare Phillippi, Gianna Phillippi, Tana Putnam (Zachary Yacone), Wyatt Putnam, Lillian Putnam, Maryann Putnam, Michelle Eagle (David Scarritt), Zachary Eagle (Daphne McClure), Amelia Eagle, William Rosa (Sarana Lawson), Samuel Rosa, Dominic Rosa, Eva-Marie Rosa, and Isaac Rosa.

He also has 14 great grandchildren: Micah Jubera, William Putnam, Matthew Putnam, Jackson Lang, Scott Lang, Baby Girl Lang, Colter Putnam, Calvin Yacone, Wesley Yacone, Cecilia Scarritt, Benjamin Scarritt, Baby Eagle, Myles Rosa, and Charlotte Rosa.

Join the family for visitation on Monday, September 16th at 10 am and Rosary at 11 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Monday, September 16th, at Little Flower Catholic Church, followed by burial and interment at Barrancas National Cemetery. The family welcomes donations to Little Flower Parish (6495 Lillian Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32506) as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers.