William Jay Sweet ’52
William Jay Sweet ’52 passed away on August 13, 2017, at his home in Derwood, Maryland. Bill was born on October 29, 1929, in Bisbee, Arizona, and grew up and attended high school in East Aurora, New York. In 1952 Bill graduated with an A.B. in mathematics. He was a member of Theta Chi and sang with the Glee Club and the Aires. After college he married his high school sweetheart, Joan McGrath, and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. His naval career took him across the United States and on international assignments. Sea deployments included service aboard the USS Compton and USS Toledo. Bill served as chief engineer for the battleship USS New Jersey during her deployment to Vietnam, providing fire support for the 1st and 3rd Marine divisions, the 173rd Airborne, and the Republic of Korea Army 9th Infantry Division. Later, he commanded the USS Davis, a Sherman class destroyer. Memorable shore tours included serving as an aide to Vice Admiral R.T.S. Keith, commander of the 1st Pacific Fleet, and to Admiral Ephraim Holmes of the U.S. Atlantic Command and NATO. Upon retiring from the Navy in 1979 with the rank of captain, Bill and Joan settled into their home in Derwood, where he began a second career with QSM Inc., a software firm located in McLean, Virginia. Bill is survived by Joan, children Kate and William Jr., four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Fittingly, Bill was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
