The family of SCPO William Thomas Doremus has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend his funeral service, we will be honored to do so.
William “Bill” Doremus, age 81, passed away at Ridgecrest Community Hospital on June 11, 2018, having suffered a stroke a few days earlier.
Bill was born August 10, 1936 in Chattanooga Tennessee. He enlisted in the US Navy 7 days after his 18th birthday. Bill served his country with distinction for 20 years advancing from Seaman Recruit to Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his service he received numerous awards and decorations including 2 Vietnam Service Medals, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Vietnam Commendation - Gallantry Cross, 2 Navy Unit Commendations, National Defense Service Medal, and 5 Good Conduct Medals. Bill’s overseas tours included time on the USS Jupiter (1960s), the USS Coral Sea (1970s), and an 8-month deployment in 1965 on the USS Midway where the Attack Carrier Air Wing Two carried out over 11,900 combat sorties. Additionally, the Midway based aircraft succeed in destroying the first MIG interceptors to be credited to the US forces in Southeast Asia. SCPO Doremus retired from the US Navy on July 13, 1973 after 20 years of service.
After his honorable discharge from active duty military Bill began a second career working at N.O.T.S. China Lake. One of his favorite assignments was during the 1980s where he worked at the highly classified Joint Advanced Weapons Countermeasure Office (JAWCO). He routinely interacted with people in each of the military services, as well as defense contractors, and Washington bureaucrats. He was repeatedly recognized by senior military and contractor personnel alike as one of the most knowledgeable logistic experts in the business.
Bill was also a family man. He married Joyce Bernice Newport on November 3, 1954. They were married 30 years until cancer claimed Joyce’s life in 1984. They had 4 children, Starr, Bill Jr., Martha, and Crystal. For Bill, fatherhood was synonymous with provider, often working two jobs. For a time, he was the manager at the Station Theater and later the assistant manager at the Chief Petty Officers Club, where he was known to call Bingo. He also was the assistant bar manager and chief cook & bottle washer for The Elks Lodge, having been a member for 61 years.
Bill was an avid fisherman especially loving his trips to Alaska and Mexico. He enjoyed cooking, baking, country music and dancing at the Crystal Palace. And nothing made Bill happier than entertaining his friends and keeping up on the latest happenings with his grand kids and great grand kids. He will always be remembered for his GENEROSITY and QUICK WIT.
Bill is survived by his daughter Starr and son-in-law Dennis Henden, son Bill Jr. and daughter-in-law Carol Doremus, daughter Martha and son-in-law Joseph Jordan, daughter Crystal and son-in-law Dennis Holder, as well as 20 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the church services to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Saturday 23 Jun 2018:0745: Stage at Holland & Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/XNmNvCfoTgx 0810: Mission Brief
0830: Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero to coach
0845: Depart to Desert Christian Center, 100 E. Bataan Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/oowZa2TL3k220900: Arrive Desert Christian Center
0915: Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero to church
1000: Church service
1100: Flag line for dignified transfer of Hero to coach
1110: Accompany Hero to Desert Memorial Park Cemetery, 801 S. San Bernardino County Line Rd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/r12k2a77yu221130: Flag Line and Military Honors
R/C Greg "Drifty" Vincent
SOCAL PGR Ride CaptainSliick333@msn.com
1-760-371-5467
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
