William Lee Held passed away April 20, 2019 in Medford, OR. Bill was born in Butte, Montana Feb. 8, 1930 to Raymond and Frieda Held and was the brother of Donna Matthews (Archie) of Dillon, Montana. Both of whom he loved dearly. His childhood years were lived out in the small mining region of Alder Gulch, near Virginia City, Montana where his family worked the mines. Bill or "Willy" as many of his friends affectionately called him, left his childhood home at age 17 to enlist in the United States Navy. It was during his first enlistment that he met his wife Ann whom he soon after would marry. The union between Bill and Ann would endure for the next 68 years and bore four children, Mike, Gary (Lisa), Mark and Scott. The love for his children was second only to that of his beloved wife. He beamed when in the company of his seven grand children and eight great grand children. During his long military career he rose through the ranks and was discharged in June of 1966, after completion of his second deployment to South Viet Nam. Bill served during the Korean war as well and retired from active duty at the rank of Senior Chief Aviation Boatswainsmate. Bill's final deployment to the Gulf of Tonkin was served aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga CVA-14, which left port in the spring of 1965. Bill also served aboard the carrier U.S.S. Badoeng Strait at Inchon, South Korea during the U.S. Marine landings. After returning from Viet Nam, Bill retired from the Navy after twenty years service. Upon retirement from active duty, Bill stayed working with the Crash/Rescue crew at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA. In June 1969, Bill began a civilian career in Stockton CA. He was employed by San Joaquin County, retiring in August 1987 as Deputy Airport Operations Manager. Bill had many friends and Navy buddies, many of which remained close throughout their entire lives. Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He will be interred in the "Wall of honor" at the Veterans National Cemetary in Eagle Point, OR.
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