William Bill LaPrevotte -2002 Obituary
Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Comdr. William “Bill” LaPrevotte, 70, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, after losing a 2 1/2 year battle to cancer.
He was born in Wheeling, and spent his boyhood in Elkins. After joining the Navy in 1948 as a yeoman seaman, he met his future wife, Jean Cofield, that same year while stationed in Newport, R.I., aboard the USS Yellowstone. They were married three years later. Bill’s decorated military career spanned 32 years and included a tour of duty in Paris, France, in 1955 where he worked at SHAPE in logistics and represented the United States and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe ceremony officially welcoming Germany into NATO.
In 1961, he was with Naval Research in London, England, where he was commissioned an officer in 1963. He served as administrative officer of the Seabees in Davisville, R.I., and in 1966 he served as administrative officer of the aircraft carrier, USS Essex, until its decommissioning in 1969 and the family moved to Northern Virginia where he was aide to the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C.
In 1972, he and his family made their last move to Virginia Beach. Here, he was assigned security office to NATO at SACLANT, Norfolk. His final assignment was Fleet Postal Officer, CINCLANT FLT, Norfolk.
He was a member of the Retired Officers’ Association, the Knights of Columbus and was on the executive committee, the board of directors and chairman of the membership committee of the Harbor Club, downtown Norfolk. He was passionate about sports and excelled in many including track, swimming and basketball in his youth and golf, softball and racquetball in later years.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Lake Taylor Transitional, Azalea Wing and Sentara Leigh for their wonderful care and support.
A memorial service was held at the Church of The Ascension, 4853 Princess Anne Road and a reception followed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one’s choice.
Athlete, gentleman and loving patriarch, he touched so many. Bill’s memory will endure.
William Bill LaPrevotte -2002 Obituary
