Obituary of William H. Anderson

William H. Anderson, Jr., 86, USN retired, died in Port Charlotte, FL on April 11, 2007. Formerly of Pensacola, FL, Commander Anderson served as a pilot in the Navy for 27 years beginning with his training as an aviation cadet in 1941. During that time he served on several aircraft carriers, including the USS Santee, the USS Cabot, the USS Bon Homme Richard, and the USS Oriskany. Cdr. Anderson piloted with the VT-29 Squadron during World War II, followed by VA-175, and eventually as CO of VF-213 Black Lions and VA-126. Cdr. Anderson’s honors include the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with star, Air Medal (2 stars), Presidential Unit Citation (2 stars), campaign ribbons for the American Defense, American Campaign, European Campaign, Pacific Campaign, Philippine Liberation, Victory Medal, United Nations Medal, United Nations Service Medal (Korea) and National Defense Service Medal. Following his Navy retirement Mr. Anderson lived for several years in central Massachusetts before moving to Pensacola, FL. Beginning in 1982 Bill played an active role in the USS Cabot Association in every capacity on the Board of Directors, including two terms as President from 1992-1995. He also served as Editor for the association newsletter, the Clarion from 1996-2002 and most recently as the Historian. Cdr. Anderson took the lead and organized the exhaustive but disappointing six year effort to save the ship from the scrapyard. In addition to his duties with the Cabot Assoc., he was a valuable member of the first group of volunteers at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, logging nearly 1000 hours as tour guide. The role was perfect for him, as Cdr. Anderson was able to share his extensive personal Naval Aviation experience with visitors, enhancing his tours greatly at the home of the replica of the bridge and deck of his beloved USS Cabot, which is housed in a prominent central location of the museum. Mr. Anderson is survived by his wife Joan (Kaczneski) Anderson; a son, William H. Anderson III of Doha, Qatar; daughters Diane Verhoest of San Antonio, FL, Gail Karakeian of Punta Gorda, FL, and Kathleen Sousa of Foster, RI; son, Michael Verhoest of Pensacola, FL as well as daughter, Sandra Stevson of CA. Mr. Anderson has nine grandchildren. Born in Westerly, RI, Mr. Anderson is the son of William H. and Jessie (Kebbe) Anderson. He was also a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Military service of burial will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2:00 PM at the Barrancas National Cemetery at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.