I really wish I could have reconnected with Senior Chief Humphrey. I just found out he has passed. It's very sad to hear. I'm sorry. He was my first Chief on my first ship, the USS Denver in 2013. I was a brand new 24 year old division officer and he was scary, lol. He told me he loved martial arts and someday wanted to go to Korea and check if his name was in a certain book, showing he was actually certified, or something. I remember his retirement ceremony in Sasebo. It was very cool. Thanks for the memories Senior Chief.

Wow, I am shocked to hear the passing of William Humphrey. He was my Supervisor and what a privilege it was to have served with him on board the USS DENVER LPD-9 from June 2013 - April 2014. He was tough but fair. We may not have always seen eye to eye but I did respect him for his knowledge of Electronics and service to the country, I know it was not easy. My Condolences go out to his personal and military family. The ET community has lost a great one !!  May God Bless your soul, Amen. 

It’s impossible for me to memorialize Bill within a 2000 length limit! Bill used to laugh at me whenever I’d say, “Long story, short!” He’d say, ”Ma, you know you can’t do that!”He was right! I have so many great memories of the boy who became my son. Bill & I weren’t your typical Mom & Son. I didn’t give birth to Bill. I met him in 1982 when he was 11yrs old. In ‘86 he came to live with his Dad & I in Tx.  He taught himself how to breakdance & he was excellent at it. He wasn’t shy at all, he danced at our family parties whenever I asked him to. (I didn’t have to twist his arm!) He wrote poetry & read it to me. He was a teenage boy who loved hanging out with his parents. He sang in the school chorus. He graduated from Arlington high school & in 1989 joined the Navy. In ‘93, after his first tour, he moved home to us in Babylon Village, NY. He worked with his Dad for awhile in sheet metal & he played a lot of pool. He re-enlisted & excelled during his second tour in the Navy . 
Buster pinned him when he made Chief, we were so proud of him & we celebrated with Bill & Ruby & the kids & Pop & Lily at Bill’s House in Ga.
Another proud moment, when he made Senior Chief. He & Ruby gifted us with our beautiful grandchildren. We loved being  together at: block parties, Halloween, Christmas & New Years, Central Park, Sleepy Hollow, Montauk, Amusement parks, etc. We had a blast! Somewhere in time, he started calling me Ma. I never asked him to, it just happened. Bill & I spoke on Sunday 10/28, for close to 3 hrs. We covered so many subjects & we laughed a lot. We planned New Years! We hung up knowing without a doubt, who we were to each other & how much we loved each other. God Bless You Bill, you were more than I could dream of for a son💟 lift the covers for Kahn 🐶, he’s been waiting to jump into bed again with you💔until I can hold you again my boy, I’ll end this as I ended all of our conversations😢I love ya kiddo, be safe, I’ll keep the light on for you😢💔
Love 4ever, Ma


Bill was in our pre-commissioning crew in CE division and worked our Calibration lab and the 2M repair.  I was the Leading Chief Petty Officer.  "Hump" as he was quickly nicknamed was funny, dedicated and loved his wife and soon to be born child.  I just wanted to share a few notes of memories I have of that time working with him and our crew,
I coached him through the Assist Visits that prepared us to complete an inspection so the Cal lab and 2M repair could be certified and operational.  We turned the Assist Visit into a full Inspection and passed the very first one.   Besides kudos in his performance evaluation, our Captain came to quarters and presented him with a "Bravo Zulu" mug which was an idea for recognition of the hard work our sailors were putting forth to make our ship the best.    Made me proud of him to see the look on his face, he turned red and had a mild smile until the captain left and then it was from ear to ear!  
Another memory is our first division party with MWR funds in Mayport.  He volunteered to have it at his apartment complex.   Ruby made Pancit and Lumpia which put me in heaven!  My wife and I stayed awhile then slipped out to let the sailors enjoy the rest of the evening.  Always brag about the food, hospitality and his love for his wife and the child coming.  His smile and pride when he rested his hand on Ruby's belly....wish there was a photo to show that.  PROUD PAPA!   You are missed Hump, and am proud and humble of how you kept going in your career!  Turn up the amp and play some tunes for the angels!

I love you Bill even though hard times came and separated us. Not one day went by without thoughts of you.  I am so glad you found happiness

Love
Mom

I can recall meeting Bill in Sicily little over 10 years ago.  I was a First Class and I thought I knew it all. Boy was I wrong and Bill in his own loving way straighten me out.  I thought he was the meanest Chief I've seen.  Turns out he was one of the best! I was selected August 1st 2008 and the first person greeted me was Bill.  He was indeed an amazing man! It really hurts my heart to hear of his passing ; however during this difficult time I looked to John 14:1. "Do not let you hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe in me.". On behalf of  the Winslow family, we offer our sincerest condolences during for the passing of your Husband and Father Bill Humphrey

Warmest regards

Gerald and Annise Winslow


I first met Bill when he was 3 in 1974.  He was one handsome little guy and a great kid.  Since he became part of my family a few years later, I got to watch him him grow.   I was very happy to see that he made the choice to join the U.S. Navy.   I never stopped being so proud of the things he accomplished:
E-8 Senior Chief,  World Traveler,  Plank Owner on The USS Sullivans,    Family man, Husband,  Father,  Renaissance Man, artist,  squared away sailor, electrical engineer, great guitar player and the list goes on...
When he gave me  "The Tour of The Sullivans" which included the Engineering Spaces, I could see he was so loved and respected by the entire crew.  The Old Man (the Captain) loved him.   He led the ship's Band
on guitar and they could play anything.  They played for a huge crowd on the Staten Island Pier and brought the house down.  
I think when someone like Bill leaves us,  a little part of us has to go with him.  That's why we feel weak, hurt,  and pretty helpless now.   But as we keep him in our hearts and minds and prayers in the days to come, he'll make sure he keeps giving us back some more of our strength.   Until the day that we meet up again ,  Bill,  We love you.   Uncle John  & Aunt Teddi  


My favorite memory with Bill was in his early days on USS The Sullivans.  We had gone to the commissioning of the ship in Staten Island, N.Y.  Shortly thereafter we found out that Bill was marching in The St.Patty's Day parade in NYC.  Kit, and I took Christopher to the parade.  As we scouted the crowd for Bill, then Mayor, Rudy Giuliani came marching along as the crowd chanted, "Rudy, Rudy"!  Soon after the mayor came Bill and shipmates carrying the banner of "USS the Sullivans." We shouted "Bill, "Bill"!! And the crowd around us chimed in so that Bill and company heard his name chanted by the crowd!   It was great. The crowd had no idea who "Bill" was but they called out his name nonetheless.   Bill spotted us, easily and I'm sure his shipmates were impressed at his popularity in the Big Apple!   LOL- R.I.P.  Bill- we love you. XOXO, (Aunt)Mary, (Uncle)Kit,  and Christopher

OBITUARY

William Humphrey

July 2, 1971 – October 30, 2018

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