Captain William R. Sheridan
Captain William R. Sheridan USN (Ret.) died March 6, in Boston.
Bill was born in Newark, NJ in 1928 and was raised in South Orange, NJ. He graduated from Seaton Hall Prep School of NJ and Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA, ROTC Class of1950 with a degree in physics. He joined the Navy after graduation. Bill’s naval career was to span two wars; Korea and Vietnam, and continued over 24 years with numerous duty stations and ships including the U.S.S. Long Beach and U.S.S. McDonnell. His final tour of duty was serving as Commanding Officer of the nuclear powered guided missile cruiser, U.S.S. Bainbridge.
During his Naval Career, Bill’s education continued with his receiving a Master of Science in Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He was selected for the Surface Nuclear Power Program and attended the Advanced Nuclear Course at the U.S. Naval Submarine School. Bill also attended the Naval War College and earned a Master of Science Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.
Bill received numerous awards and commendations. Among them a Bronze Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and a Naval Meritorious Service Commendation.
In his post naval career era Bill worked at Stone & Webster Engineering of Boston eventually becoming Vice President and Director of Nuclear Design. He also earned an MBA from Suffolk University in 1983. Leaving Stone & Webster in 1988, he then worked at Bechtel Corp. until his final retirement in 1995. Unable to remain completely retired, Bill volunteered his time giving back to young children in the Boston School System promoting math and science. He was also an active board member at Milton hospital, the American Red Cross as well as Wollaston Golf Club.
In Bills free time, you would find him at the piano, where he would tickle the ivories on anything from classics to show tunes. He was an avid golfer always working on the right swing and back in the day he knew how to control the tennis court with his Wilson T- 2000.
Bill was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Noonan) and Carol (Crowley) Sheridan. Devoted father of William R. Sheridan, Jr and his wife Sherrie of Chelmsford, Mary Sheridan-Bushnell and her husband George of Cohasset, John Sheridan and his wife Jacqueline of NH, Patricia Duxbury of Boston and the late Regina Hobbs. Brother of Joseph Sheridan of OR and the late Richard Sheridan, Mary Lois Hagedorn and Claire Lawrence. Also survived by 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Gregory’s Church, Dorchester, Thurs., March 9, at 10 o’clock. Visiting Hours in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St., DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, Weds., 5-8pm. Interment Milton Cemetery. If desired contributions in Bill’s name may be sent to the Alzheimer’s’ Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham MA 02452.
Guestbook Entries
Rest In Peace Bill.you were a great friend and will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Bill Sheridan. We always enjoyed having him at the bridge table at Wollaston Golf Club. Bill was also instrumental in advising my grandson, Eric Sager, who is now a Captain on the USS California, a submarine in the US Navy. Bill will be missed. My sincere sympathies to his family.
My sincere sympathy to all the family of the Capt. I played a lot of bridge and golf with Bill and his late wife Betty. I had a chance to talk to him about 4 or 5 years ago when I was back in Boston. Living in Tianjin China I just don’t get back to Boston that often.Again my sincere sympathy to the family . Philip Flynn 天津
I learn of Bill’s passing with great sadness. He, Joe, Dick and Mary Lois are cousins of mine, and were great role models for me and our family. My parents, Frank and Catherine, were very fond of all the Sheridans.
Thank you Judy for sending me the news, and may God bless all the Sheridans.
To the Sheridan family. We would like to express out sympathy to you all. Bill was certainly an officer and a gentleman. His accomplishments, both personally and professionally were amazing. We will always remember him with respect and fondness.
It’s been about fifty years since I last saw Cmdr. Sheridan, as he left Edward McDonnell for his next duty assignment.
As the messenger of the watch I had to make 12:00 reports to him after only two days aboard McDonnell. I was scared to death but he was patient, encouraging and helped me through it. Another time when I failed to come to “attention on deck” as he approached,I attempted to step through a hatch when a firm hand landed on my shoulder. I turned around and he was close enough for me to count the pores on his nose. He was not patient or encouraging that time as he explained the error of my response to the approach of my commanding officer.
I remember his gray hair and the flat top or crew cut he sported. I remember the bathing suit he often wore when we operated in hot regions. He had a bad scar under his rib cage. I remember hearing him tell a visiting midshipman that he had attended Holy Cross.
We carried tactical nuclear weapons on McDonnell and Cmdr. “Captain” Sheridan was all business when it came to the ship. He expected the officers and men of McDonnell to be no less. I remember once, as he left the ship, hearing him tell the executive officer Lieutenant Commander C.C. Clements not to leave the ship until he had completed an assignment.
I had no idea that Capt.Sheridan was such a highly educated and accomplished man. I have often wondered what became of him. I’m sorry to have found out he passed away.
My sympathy goes out to his family.
I was fresh out of A School, and reported aboard the USS Bainbridge in May 73. I was assigned as Capt. Sheridan’s aide, and sat I outside his stateroom at a desk with a phone, and little else. Those days outside his stateroom usually dragged on forever it seemed. I’ll never forget, though, the time he ordered me to take his vehicle, drive into Long Beach, and find sheet music for the Bee Gee’s hit tune, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” He had a piano in his stateroom that he frequently played (good player!). I found the music, brought it back to the ship, and he gave me two days of liberty as a thank you. BZ, Cap’n, and RIP. Salute.
1972 he was my Captain on USS BAINBRIDGE. Served with him in Vietnam and Persian gulf. I was young and just off the farm. We all felt safe under his command. Rode the boat with him until he gave up his command at a port in Iran. Admiral Rickover was there. He was always able to mingle with the lowest ranked men. Proud to have has a beer with him. Sail on sailor RIP