William Fenner, Jr.

Public graveside service for William Fenner, Jr., age 91, of Decatur, will be Saturday, September 5, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery with Rev. Jess Montegudo officiating and Shelton Funeral Home directing. Mr. Fenner, who died Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at NHC Healthcare - Moulton, was born May 16, 1924, in Raven, VA, to Will and Virgie Fenner. He grew up in Mountain City, TN, with his eight siblings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha (Eckard) Fenner, one daughter, Karen (Fenner) Beans, two brothers, Paul Fenner, and his twin brother, Clarence Fenner, and four sisters, Mae Loggins, Vernalee Gentry, Beatrice Jeff, and Gladys Barlow. William Fenner enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941. He served in WWII in the Pacific theater aboard the USS Hornet CV-8 (Yorktown-class aircraft carrier). Bill was present on the deck of the USS Hornet in April, 1942, when Jimmy Doolittle's Raiders took off on a top-secret mission to bomb Tokyo, demonstrating that Japan was vulnerable to American air attack. Bill also fought in the Battle of Midway, the Solomon Islands Campaign, Guadalcanal, and in the Battle of Santa-Cruz Islands. In the latter battle, the USS Hornet was attacked by enemy dive-bomber and torpedo planes. In addition, two of the dive-bombers deliberately crashed into his ship, adding to her extensive damage that resulted in the aircraft carrier being sunk. The crew members were picked up by escorting destroyers. Bill also served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Bill attended services at First Christian Church and First Bible Church. He retired both from NASA and Bechtel Corporation, where he served as a quality control inspector. He spent many years coaching little league baseball and rooting for the Tennessee Vols. He was a skilled woodworker and spent his retirement years constructing small lighthouses in memory of his daughter, Karen. He is survived by one son, David Fenner (Dawn) of Decatur; one daughter, Laura McWhorter (Joel) of Decatur; one brother, Harold Fenner; one sister, Lorietta Lowe; seven grandchildren, Will Fenner, Eric Fenner, Shane Beans, Sarah Beans, Samuel Beans, Michael McWhorter, and Anna McWhorter; and three great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Beans, Karlee Fenner, and Ivey Fenner. The family would like to thank the staff at Westminster Assisted Living where Mr. Fenner lived for the past two years. They would also like to thank the staff at NHC in Moulton and Hospice of the Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Neighborhood Christian Center, 619 Bank Street, Decatur, AL 35601.

William Fenner, Jr.

May 16, 1924 - September 2, 2015