More detail on this person: A Vietnam veteran and longtime resident of Mesa, Arizona, passed away after a long illness on July 16, 2022. Bill was born in Chicago on April 29, 1936 to Rosemary (Kennedy) and William B. Cowperthwait. Siblings include two sisters, Carol Ann Cunningham, Corene Mary Frick (who preceded him in death), and his brother Thomas Victor Cowperthwait. Bill attended St. Ignatius College Prep before graduating from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Architecture. He also earned an MBA from GWU and a Master's in Systems Engineering from USC. Bill was commissioned in 1959 to the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a second lieutenant. After flight training, he was designated a Naval Aviator. He flew CH-53 and CH-46 helicopters for three tours in Vietnam. After 21 years of service, he retired in 1980 having worked as Commanding Officer of HMH-362 and as a Comptroller for Marine Wing Support Group 27, Cherry Point, NC. The USMC honored Bill for his service with a Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, an Air Medal with numeral 17 (340 combat missions), a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, a Vietnam Defense Ribbon and a National Defense Ribbon. On November 10, 1962, Bill married the love of his life, Nancy Jeanne Hunt in Okinawa, Japan. In addition to Nancy, Bill is survived by his four children: Christopher (spouse Sheri Sandberg), Maureen Nemec (spouse Gary), William K. (spouse Catherine), and Daniel (spouse Shelley). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was a founding member of St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Mesa and where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, was very active in his community at The Wells in Mesa and served on The Wells' Board of Directors. He volunteered with the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, the ManKind Project and is remembered for his work with the Mesa police department's Victims' Assistance program. Bill and Nancy loved to travel and spent many years crisscrossing the country in their RV after both retired. Bill was a man of faith, family, friends and freedom. He loved serving his country and being a Marine. A vigil military wake and service will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from 4-7pm at Mountain View Funeral Home (7900 East Main St, Mesa). A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 27, starting at 8am at St. Bridget's Catholic Church (2213 N Lindsay Rd, Mesa); followed by Patriotic Honors. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a later date. A remembrance donation may be made in Bill Cowperthwait's name to Hospice of the Valley (HOV.org) or St. Vincent DePaul, St Bridget Conference, Mesa. Posted online on July 22, 2022 Published in The Arizona Republic Service Information Mountain View Funeral Home (7900 East Main St, Mesa) July 26, 2022 at 4:00 PM FUNERAL MASS St. Bridget's Catholic Church (2213 N Lindsay Rd, Mesa July 27, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 12/04/2022
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Date posted on this site: 06/15/2024
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