Vice Admiral William J. Cowhill
May 29, 1928 ~ September 10, 2011
Vice Admiral WILLIAM J. COWHILL
US NAVY (Ret.)
(Age 83)
VADM William J. Cowhill, of Great Falls, Virginia on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Beloved husband of the late Jennifer J. Cowhill; loving father of Robin, Michael and Douglas Cowhill of Great Falls, VA, Joseph (Desma) Cowhill II of Palm City, FL, brother of Jeanne Johnson of Marion, IA; grandfather of Jennifer L. and Patrick Cowhill. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Beth Ann.
Born on May 29, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph H. and Lucy R. Cowhill, Admiral Cowhill grew up in Chicago Illinois where he attended New Trier High School and Northwestern University on the NROTC program graduating in the Class of 1950 with a Major in English Literature.
After graduation he was assigned to the destroyer-minesweeper USS ELLYSON. Following this tour he entered submarine training in June 1952. His initial submarine duty was a three year tour on USS TRIGGER. This was followed by a year of training in the Navy's Nuclear Program at the Sub School in Groton Connecticut where he became one of the very first "Rickover Boys" after graduating second in his class. He was then assigned to the USS SKATE for a two year tour which included two historic Arctic Explorations during one of which the USS SKATE made the very first surfacing of a submarine at the North Pole.
Subsequent sea assignments included Engineering Officer of USS SCULPIN and Executive Officer of the ill-fated USS THRESHER. His sea duty Commands included submarines USS DACE, USS WILL ROGERS and the Submarine Tender USS HOLLAND.
In 1973 then 45 year old Captain Cowhill was promoted to Rear Admiral where various shore duty assignments included a two year tour as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Appointed to Vice Admiral in 1979, he served his final six years of active duty as head of logistics for, first the Navy, and then the Joint Chiefs.
Vice Admiral Cowhill's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.
Admiral Cowhill retired in 1985 and resided in Mclean and Great Falls, VA. He was an avid reader, Redskins/White Sox/Nationals fan and enjoyed gourmet cooking and dining. When not otherwise occupied, he spent his retirement years with his four children, extended family and many loving friends running a one boat Navy on the Chesapeake Bay.
A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
US NAVY (Ret.)
(Age 83)
VADM William J. Cowhill, of Great Falls, Virginia on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Beloved husband of the late Jennifer J. Cowhill; loving father of Robin, Michael and Douglas Cowhill of Great Falls, VA, Joseph (Desma) Cowhill II of Palm City, FL, brother of Jeanne Johnson of Marion, IA; grandfather of Jennifer L. and Patrick Cowhill. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Beth Ann.
Born on May 29, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph H. and Lucy R. Cowhill, Admiral Cowhill grew up in Chicago Illinois where he attended New Trier High School and Northwestern University on the NROTC program graduating in the Class of 1950 with a Major in English Literature.
After graduation he was assigned to the destroyer-minesweeper USS ELLYSON. Following this tour he entered submarine training in June 1952. His initial submarine duty was a three year tour on USS TRIGGER. This was followed by a year of training in the Navy's Nuclear Program at the Sub School in Groton Connecticut where he became one of the very first "Rickover Boys" after graduating second in his class. He was then assigned to the USS SKATE for a two year tour which included two historic Arctic Explorations during one of which the USS SKATE made the very first surfacing of a submarine at the North Pole.
Subsequent sea assignments included Engineering Officer of USS SCULPIN and Executive Officer of the ill-fated USS THRESHER. His sea duty Commands included submarines USS DACE, USS WILL ROGERS and the Submarine Tender USS HOLLAND.
In 1973 then 45 year old Captain Cowhill was promoted to Rear Admiral where various shore duty assignments included a two year tour as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Appointed to Vice Admiral in 1979, he served his final six years of active duty as head of logistics for, first the Navy, and then the Joint Chiefs.
Vice Admiral Cowhill's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.
Admiral Cowhill retired in 1985 and resided in Mclean and Great Falls, VA. He was an avid reader, Redskins/White Sox/Nationals fan and enjoyed gourmet cooking and dining. When not otherwise occupied, he spent his retirement years with his four children, extended family and many loving friends running a one boat Navy on the Chesapeake Bay.
A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Your family is in our thoughts and prayers! Love, Rebecca, Eric, Ethan, Hannah and Sophia
Robin, Joe, Michael and Douglas; Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this trying time.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Our prayers are with Bill’s family. I was a plank owner on the USS Will Rogers.We have many fond memories of our tour aboard the Will Rogers. I remember when Bill showed up in Rota with his arm in a cast after trying out the twins skate board. With our prayers, Fred & Marlene
Captain Cowhill as I knew him was my first commanding officer of the USS Will Rogers in 1966. We were both Plankowners. I just spoke with him 60 days ago after over 40 years of no contact when I personally invited him to the 2011 Will Rogers Reunion next month. I will always remember him as a gentle commander but a person whom one automatically respected just by knowing him. I held him with high esteem and will pray for him and his family and friends. A Memorial Service will also be held on October 22, 2011 for him and our other submarine friends on that Eternal Patrol at the Will Rogers Reunion in San Diego.
I was fresh out of nuke school and submarine school. Not dry behind the ears and a bit overwhelmed when I came to the Will Rogers as a plankowner. Captain Cowhill put together a very knowledgeable and happy crew. I will always be very grateful to him for giving me such a positive experience on my first assignment in the Navy. I offer my condolences and best wishes to his family. Russell Bliss ET1(SS) Plankowner Gold USS Will Rogers
Joe, Robin, Doug & Mike, I just found out today and wanted to tell you how saddened I was to hear of you father’s passing. I have very fond memories of your Dad…remember playing Trivial Pursuit, watching Redskin games, trips to Deale and The Green Tree in Leesburg. He was a very diverse, interesting man and I am honored to have known him. (Only for Bill would I eat a raw oyster…yuck)! I am sure I can speak for my Mother as well when I say I hope you are all well and that we also mourn the passing of such a good man. With warmest wishes, thoughts and prayers. Lori
Then CDR Cowhill was my CO on DACE in the late 1960s. I was his NSG LT OIC. We did not always agree, but he was the CO, and I always respected his judgement. I’m so sorry to learn of his death. Bill Moody
I’m sorry that I’m coming to this so late, but I just found out a few minutes ago. I met the Admiral when we were both Cancer Patients at NIH. I spent many hours in treatment and out talking with him and his son Michael. Talking with him was always informative and entertaining. Our chats took me back to the days when I was a Nuc living on the Base in Bangor that he proudly told me he had overseen the building of while COMSUBPAC. I only knew him for a short time, but it grieves me deeply that he is gone and it took so long for me to learn of his passing. Dave Loewe former ET1(SS) – Reactor Operator