William Kendrick Cary Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. William K. Cary Jr, 77, of Stafford, VA, passed into glory on August 7, 2022 at home with loved ones after battling cancer. A native of Binghamton, NY, Bill was born on August 21, 1944 to the late William Kendrick Cary and Georgia Mae Shackleford. He grew up in Smyrna, DE, where he met lifelong friend Jim Francis, who would later influence his career and relocation to the Fredericksburg area for the next 50 years. Bill graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Bill was drafted during the Vietnam War and served stateside at Fort Ord CA, learning the virtues of leadership in caring for the needs of those in his Army unit. He first worked at Ft. Belvoir, then was hired by the Navy at NSWC Dahlgren, where he developed radar and other systems, and was known as a problem-solver in production issues. One friend who dealt with engineers from the bench to Headquarters throughout his career often noted that “Bill Cary was the finest electronics engineer that I ever knew. He had an insatiable appetite to learn new things.”
Bill’s life was full of hobbies and adventures—in his own words he took after James Bond. He was an avid swimmer for his entire life and served as a lifeguard for two years at Ocean City, MD and was also prolific at snorkeling and scuba diving. He was a small plane pilot and flew at times for work and family vacations. Bill enjoyed many adventures with his two sons—cycling, camping, canoeing, Hobie Cat and large boat sailing, and often a combination of these. Bill was self-taught in woodworking, machining, plumbing and welding. He enjoyed tennis, target shooting, photography, growing food and improving the soil, learning piano, ballroom dancing, playing pool, cooking, Toastmasters, and endless jokes.
A constant encouragement to those in need, Bill Cary did his own Bible study jail ministry for several years. He was also a supporter of the homeless via the Thurman Brisben Homeless shelter and was part of a team that fed the homeless weekly in downtown Fredericksburg. He was renowned for his macaroni and cheese and his own “Willy’s Chili.”
Bill Cary is preceded in death by his sisters Gayle Cary Doughten and Cynthia Fessman, and survived by his devoted partner Sai, brother Con Cary, his two sons by former spouse Marcia—William Kendrick Cary III and Robert Douglas Cary (spouse Jewel), granddaughter Hazel, cousins Diane and Johnnie, and several generations of nieces and nephews.
Bill Cary’s ashes will be interred at Quantico National Cemetery in a private ceremony.
Per his wishes, there will be no service. The family requests that memorial donations be made in his name to the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter in Fredericksburg, VA.
Please visit Bill’s Life Tribute Webpage at foundandsons.com and sign his online guestbook.
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