William Keith Mallinson

Middletown, RI - William Bill Keith Mallinson, Sr. USN Capt. Ret 79, passed away on February 13, 2010 unexpectedly at his Punta Gorda Fl, Home. He was the husband of Carolyn H. McNeil and in the summer celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He was the only child of the late John K. Mallinson and Jeanne A. Windhorst of Millerton, NY.Bill was born in Torrington CT, grew up in Lenox, MA. He was a successful high school wrestler and baseball player and played on the Massachusetts State champion baseball team of 1948. Bill went onto Tufts University and graduated in 1953 with a Masters in Education. His 26 year naval career began in 1954 and later that year married Carolyn. From 1957 to 1959 he taught at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. In the early years of his career they moved frequently before settling in Middletown. From then on, his house on Sherri Lane became the family home when he first served on the USS Bristol stationed in Newport from 1959 to 1961. For several years his assignments continued in Newport including a year studying at the US Naval War College. In 1967 he transferred to Long Beach CA to serve on the air craft carriers the Hornet and the Bennington stationed in Viet Nam. His return to Newport after almost 2 years away was when he made Commanding Officer of the USS Hugh Purvis. After the Hugh Purvis, Bill went on to teach at the Naval Command College. Eventually he became Director of Training in Newport responsible for many of the Navys training and officers schools. His 26 years in the Navy rewarded him with many lifelong friends that continued until his passing. With his naval career behind him, he began his second career in real estate as co-owner of Island Homes Realty. He and Carolyn were members of Green Valley Country Club, where he quickly mastered the game. In Florida he kept busy with his boat either to fish or to just take a spin on the water. Some of his favorite pastimes were playing the organ, painting, fishing and gardening. He is survived by James K. Mallinson his wife Tracy and their son Jake of Middletown, RI, John S. Mallinson of Cumberland, RI, William K. Mallinson, Jr., his wife Tobi and their son Bennett of Portsmouth, RI and Ann M. Canole, her husband Peter and their two daughters Emily and Laura of Cumberland, RI.His funeral will be held on Monday, February 22, 2010, at 9:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010, from 4-7pm in the funeral home. Donations in his memory A-T Childrens Project, 5300 West Hillsboro Boulevard Unit 105, Coconut Creek FL 33073.