Obituary of Chaplain William "Bill" Roy Samuel, USN,

William Roy Samuel, age 90, went to be with the LORD on June 1, 2017 at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born August 25, 1926 in Yakima, Washington to Roy E. and Mae V. (Corpron) Samuel, the youngest of two children. William was a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy for twenty-six years, retiring in 1980 as a Captain. He was commissioned into the Chaplain Corps as a LTJG in 1954, having graduated from Westmont College, BA (1950) and Dallas Theological Seminary, ThM (1954). He served with the Pacific Fleet during World War II and with the Naval Advisory Group-MAC5 in the Vietnam War. Bill later served at the Naval Postgraduate School, California (1971-1975), with 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (1975-1977), and Fleet Marine Force, Pacific at Camp Smith, Hawaii (1977-1980). He was a chaplain to the chaplains. He retired from active duty in 1980, at which time he served as Pastor at Geneva Community Church, Bellingham, Washington from 1980-1984. Throughout his years of military service, he received many citations, including the Bronze Star, the RVN Medal of Honor, and the Meritorious Service Medal. The most important thing to Bill was his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he served to his last day. Relationships defined Bill's life. As a devoted husband of sixty-one years to his wife, Pat; as a loving father to his three children, Richard, Jane, and David, and his children-in-love, Donna, James, and Kirsten; grandfather to his eight grandchildren; and great-grandfather to his eight great-grandchildren, Bill was passionate about time spent with others. He loved to golf with family and friends, play board games (he was wicked at Scrabble!), make watermelon teeth and spit watermelon seeds with the best, and explore the U.S. with Pat. Though he would tell you he wasn't a good student in school, Bill was a lifelong learner, including learning the most recent computer technologies.He is survived by his wife, Pat (Patsy) A. Samuel of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sons, Richard R. Samuel (Donna) of Hayden, Idaho, and David W. Samuel (Kirsten) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter, Jane L. Wisland (James) of North Pole, Alaska; grandchildren, Erin L. Gerster (Casey), Eric W. Samuel (Emily), Rebekah J. Samuel, Mandi M. Silveira (Juaquine), Nathan D. Samuel (Sasha), Elisabeth (Beth) A. Samuel, and Craig R. Samuel; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Clair Nord of Las Vegas, New Mexico; brother-in-law, Robert O. Burford (Nancy) of Fort Worth, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy E. and Mae V. (Corpron) Samuel; sister, Marjorie Brown; brother-in-law, Larry Brown; and grandson, Erik J. Wisland. A private interment will be held on Friday, June 23, 2017 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, in Denver, Colorado. A Memorial Service will follow, 2:30PM, Friday, June 23, 2017 at New Life Church, 11025 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921.In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Chaplain Bill's name to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, Colorado, to provide clean water for children around the world. www.compassion.com/donate/William-Samuel/htm. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Friday, June 23, 2017 12:00AM Fort Logan National Cemetery 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard Denver, CO 80235 Phone: 303-761-0117 Service Friday, June 23, 2017 2:30PM New Life Church 11025 Voyager Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80921 Phone: 719-328-1793