William Ralph Gongaware (Bill), age 63, husband of Betty Jean Gongaware, departed on Eternal Patrol on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004. A mustang Lieutenant Commander, Bill served an illustrious 23 year career before his retirement from the Navy in 1980. His service included tours at sea on many ships including submarines followed by duty on various target craft including aircraft carriers and destroyers. His Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering was obtained through the Navy Program-NESEP from N.C. State in 1968. His Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering was completed at U.S. Navy Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA in 1976. After Navy retirement and a period of employment at Virginia Power Bill accepted a Professorship at J. Sgt. Reynolds College in Richmond Virginia where he enjoyed teaching physics, mathematics, statistics, and other engineering courses.