Kittery- Captain William D. McDonough, Jr., USN (Ret) age 86, of Kittery, Maine, passed peacefully on January 11, 2016 with family by his side.

Bill was born on February 27, 1929, in Albany, NY, the eldest of the four sons of William, Sr. and Marion Adt McDonough. He attended local schools and graduated from Milne High School. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1951 and was commissioned as an Ensign. A week after graduation, Bill married Nancy Mae Bearup and they started their life together. Bill and Nancy shared 59 years of marriage and raised seven daughters prior to Nancy's death in January of 2010.

Capt. McDonough's Navy service began with the USS TARAWA (CV-40) as Assistant Navigator and later with the USS EPPING FOREST (LSD-4) as First Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer. From 1955 to 1958 Capt. McDonough attended MIT and subsequently entered the Submarine School in New London, CT. He qualified for submarines on the USS CHIVO (SS-341) and was transferred to Charleston Naval Shipyard as Engineering Duty Officer.

In 1963 he reported to the Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force staff in Groton, CT as Assistant Material Officer for Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines. In 1967 Capt. McDonough and his family moved to Washington DC where he served as SSN project officer and then Deputy Director Submarine Logistics in the Bureau of Ships, which became Naval Sea Systems Command.

Capt. McDonough reported to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME in July of 1971 where he served in increasing capacities before becoming Shipyard Commander in August of 1974. During his years at PNSY, he completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business. Capt. McDonough retired from the Navy on August 22, 1979.

Upon retirement Bill and Nancy settled in Kittery to be close to their growing family and network of friends. In his retirement, Bill worked as a consultant for Wheelabrator-Frye in Hampton, NH. In 1991, he added the task of being a principle advocate for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. This role was dedicated to fighting for the survival of the Portsmouth Shipyard in the series of Defense Base Closures (BRAC) and required Bill to work closely with the political leaders of Maine and New Hampshire. Bill is well known for his "Save the Shipyard" efforts and was successful in overturning the 2005 recommendation to close Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Bill and Nancy enjoyed traveling and made several trips to Europe after his retirement. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they hosted a two-week trip to Germany with their daughters and spouses. Highlights of the trip were the evening gatherings to discuss the day's adventures and the family trip to Oktoberfest.

Bill is survived by his seven daughters: Kathy and husband Bill Little of Jacksonville, FL; Gerry Fletcher of Kittery Point, ME; Gail and husband Jeff Hendrickson of Kittery Point, ME; Cindy and husband Dave Franklin of Simsbury, CT; Laura McDonough and wife Mary Steiert of Anchorage, AK; Mary and husband Steve Perkins of Simsbury, CT and Ann and husband John Vincent of Portland, ME; as well as 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Also surviving Bill are two of his brothers and three sister-in-laws: George and Janet McDonough of North Palm Beach, FL; David and Carolyn McDonough of North Merrick, NY and Jane McDonough of Simsbury, CT. In addition to his wife, Bill is predeceased by his brother Peter.

Bill's final years of life were enriched by his friend and travel companion Susan Emery. Together they enjoyed attending local cultural events and traveling to several interesting locations.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staffs at Durgin Pines and York Hospital who cared for Bill during his final days.

Services: Friends may visit with Bill's family from 1-3pm or 5-7pm on Friday, 1/15 at JS Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, ME. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Raphael's Church in Kittery, ME at 11am on Saturday, 1/16. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's memory to the
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Groton Office
PO Box 25
Naval Submarine Base New London
Groton, CT 06349
(www.nmcrs.org/donate). Arrangements are entrusted to JS Pelkey Funeral Home.