William Charette Obituary

Bill was the Medical Department on Simon Bolivar(SSBN 641-Gold Crew). I was the Executive Officer and as such Bill worked directly for me. I could hardly believe that this soft-spoken ,unassuming man had earned the Medal of Honor. He was the best Sailor that I ever worked with and was an outstanding leader. God bless the memory of this superb man.

It was an honor for me to introduce Bill to the students at Summerlin Military Institute during a student assembly. He was a member of Sea Poacher Base, United States Submarine Veterans that holds their meetings at that school. He was a true Hero.

During my tour as XO on Simon Bolivar(Gold),Master Chief Charette was the Medical Department. Besides being a true hero,he was extremely competent and a respected leader. He was a great shipmate.

Sorry for your loss. I'm glad I had the honor to meet and know him at the Lake Wales Elks.

RTC NTC San Diego CA 1976, Spring 1977/ NRMC Balboa Hospital Corps School C, HN USN AD, Marine Corps Air to Ground Combat Training Center Twenty Nine Palms in field with US Marines, B.A.S. Branch Hospital. Honorable Discharge. Cold War Veteran. National Regestry of EMTs 1980 Present( March 2013) Paramedic graduate. 36 years service in field.

I served with DOC Charette on the Bolivar and got to know him personnaly. What a great, humble guy! He is my true american HERO.

Chief Charette was a wonderful man. I am so sorry to the whole family for your loss. I served with him for three years at the Naval Hospital in Orlando, FL. Chief Charette was always so unassuming, kind, and helpful to all of the younger Corpsmen.

Doc's friendship, positive attitude, and permanent smile sure made the long patrols on Bolivar more pleasant. So glad we visited the past several years. Please keep in touch Lou. JD and Gail Allen

god bless you doc. former marine d.s. murphy jr 62-66. semper fi brother.

Mike and Mrs.Charette and family.Our prayers are with you.Give me a call.


Frankie,Jackie,Lexi,Bridget,Frankie Ujlaki

You have our sincere sympathy. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Frank & Sue Ujlaki

Mike I know you are so proud to be the son of such a wonderful man, he left behind an awesome legacy. I pray for peace and comfort for you and your family.

The family of the late Donald "Snowball" Johnson wanted you to know that we are thinking of you as you grieve the loss of your husband and father. I remember meeting Mr. Charette a few times when he and his family vacationed in Ludington. I recall him as a sweet man and someone my father was proud to call his friend. My mother Caroline and the rest of the Johnson clan send our sympathies on your loss. Sincerely,
Michelle Johnson-Houghton
Grand Rapids, MI

Thank you for your service sir rest in peace

Rest in Peace Shipmate, thanks for paving the road for us fellow Chief's.

A true HERO!! I salute this hero and thank God for him. It has a special meaning for me, as I too served in Korea. God bless!!
Denny Cothern, Lake Wales Fl

Our Lord has welcomed home a true hero. God, be with his loved ones and help them through this difficult loss. Amen.

A true Hero in every sense of the word. Rest in Peace.

Our family wishes to say goodbye to an old friend and our thoughts to all his children at this very sad time. I remember Mr. Charette receiving a Medal while with my Mother in Maitland Florida. What a wonderful man he was to so many he served. Jolene, Diane, Jimmy, Sharon and Johnny Jack.

What a great honor it was to have served on the Boliver with a man of his statue. Will always remember him at the BCP,in control, while on patrol. My condolences to all his family for he will surely be missed.

With Love and Prayers,
Shirley Stewart Gilley

My wife Ruth Ann and I wish to convey our deepest heartfelt condolences to your family for the loss of your loved-one. "Doc" was a special person, and the Submarine Force will forever miss him, but always know his accomplishments. As a former U.S.S. Triton (SSN586) crewmember, I salute his life and his unselfish service to our country at home, at sea, and abroad. I did not know William personally, but as a twice-qualified submariner in both WWII-diesel-electric and fast-attack submarines, I can eminently vouch for his character, diligence, caliber, and devition to his shipmates in all theaters. A great man now is with God. Peace and love to your grieving kin,
.... Jim Schenk, Chaplain,
USSVI-Nathanael Greene Base.

I stood watch with Doc on the 641 Boat.
He didnt have to stand a watch. But he did. I sure will remember Doc always.
Smooth sailing Doc.

Bill made me proud to be a Hospital Corpsman.
John K. Lowe Jr, HMCM, USN, RET

So very sorry to hear about Bill. He was a great man.
Will remember your family in prayer
Hal & Louise Hollingsworth

Lou, So sorry to hear about Bill.I'll always remember him from the Bolivar reunions.May he rest in peace. I will remember him in my thoughts & prayers.

Dear Lou. I know Bill was always a hero to you but he was also one to his shipmates and to millions of American citizens. He will continue to live in his shipmates hearts as long as we are still around. Elaine and I share your loss. Elaine and Claude Cross-- Former Bolivar CO

To the Charette Family:
I had the pleasure of meeting Master Chief Charette in 1998 at the NMCP Hospital Corps Ball. He was such a warm and personable man. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. Master Chief Charette is one of the reasons I am so proud to have been a corpsman. Our community shares your loss.

Sincerely,
Lisa M. Gates
HM1 USN

Dear Lou Jackie& I will always remember Bill as a friend&shipmate.May he rest in peace,
Tom&Jackie McDevitt

Doc and I were patients at NavHosp Orlando in the early 70's. I really enjoyed his company . I found out about the MOH much later. He was a good, humble man. Both of us boat sailors, we had plenty to talk about. I'm sure he will be missed and send my condolences to his family.
Ralph Comp, USN ret.

Rest in Peace, Master Chief, we have the watch.

Words seem to be lacking at a time such as this. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one. He will always have a place in our thoughts and prayers as we all remember the many special things about "DOC". He was my shipmate twice and will be missed. Our chief at the FBMSTC and COB on Bolivar (G0LD).

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

VFW Post 2420, Lake Wales

I had the honor of meeting Doc Charette at a Gathering of MOH recipients in 1989
I enjoyed him and a great guy he was.
David Erbstoesser
Bismarck, ND

Our heart felt sympathy to Louise and the family.....Rest your oars, shipmate, we have the watch.

I served with Doc on Simon Bolivar. He was a true friend and was held in high reguard in all who knew him. When he moved to Fla. from Charleston I purchased his Chev. pop-up Van. Everytime we made a trip in it we thought of Doc and all the fun he had in it. Bette and I wish the best to the Family.
Sailor Rest your Oars.

I served with Doc on the Daniel Webster Gold Crew during the mid 60's and in fact lived down the street from him in Menriv Park. He was a great shipmate and will be missed. Our prayers are with your family.

I had the privilege of serving with Doc on Simon Bolivar. He was the first Corpsman with whom I served as a shipmate. He was kind, gentle, yet I knew he would take care of the crew. His demeanor instilled in me a great respect and influenced my Navy career. He will be missed. Our prayers are with the family.

To Bill's family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss and share in your sorrow.
ETCS(ss) Arnold Vander Woude USN(Ret) Served with Bill on USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN641) and was a crew member on the USS Canberra (CAG2) when he selected the WWII Unknown Soldier.

Doc Charette was very special to us, the Gold Crew of the Simon Bolivar SSBN641. After a bit I was kind of proud at getting my butt chewed out by him when he treated me for a sliver of metal that got into my eye. I've always worn safety glasses since then when they merited wearing. I believe he loved the crew as much if not more than we loved him. Prayers go with you Doc on your eternal patrol. Frank Finecey, MM1ss 641G.

To Louise and Family,

On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Bill's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one. All SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Doc will always be remembered as a “Brother of the Phin” and a great Patriot.

HMCM(SS) William "Doc" Charette
US Navy Retired
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate

Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, Base Chaplain

What I am feeling right now is hard to put into words. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

On behalf of the Officers and Members of the American Association of Navy Hopsital Corpsmen we offer our sincere condolences to the your family. There are many past combat veterans who could still use your help in heaven.

All of Bill's shipmates at Sea Poacher Base USSVI share the sorrow of his friends and family. Although Bill would not accept that he as a Hero, to us, he was that and more.

Jack Merrill, Base Commander, Sea Poacher Base, USSVI

Our prayers are with you and entire family. Bill has touched alot people in his life. Being a retired Air Force member. I salute a great man. I had the the priviledge of knowing him. Ken Kunkel ,SMSgt, USAF, Retired and Pam Pennington

He was not only a great hero but also a great sailor,a great shipmate and a great person. I am so honored to have served with him. May we all strive to live up to his legacy. -Nate Heuberger,Capt.USN,(ret)

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Shipmate rest your oars. You've done your job; now enjoy your rest and tranquility in Heaven with our Father Almighty.

i feel a part of me was with you I was getting a few letters and phone calls intended for mr bill my name is william r. charette I live in homosassa fl I was in the Korea conflict near the end ,was a medic in the air force. am sorry to hear this sad news

Our sympathy to Louise and her family on the loss of a great hero. Bob and Sue Milkie (Lake Wales, FL)

So sorry for your loss. The Family will be in my prayers.

My family and I were deeply saddened to learn of your loss of your husband, father, grandfather, friend and National hero. I first met Chief Charette (then HM3) as my instructor in Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes. He was an inspiration and an outstanding teacher. He took time to talk with us as our instructor but as a friend. I put his lessons to good use in Korea and then I dedicated my book "The Untold Experiences of a Navy Corpsman" to him as my mentor. He was very gracious and thanked me for the honor. Believe me, the honor was truly mine just to count him as a friend. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you Chief Charette for your service - Semper Fi.

God bless and keep this true hero.

getting the nation's highest honor and being selected to chose WWII unknown Soldier wow. If I recall correctly Bill told me on the unknown Soldier selection that he went on deck to pick one of the three caskets on the fantail, a much higher power drove him directly to the casket he placed the rose on. I knew Bill, as he married the girl next door, for many years.Of all the Honors bestowed upon him,I'm sure he would have picked being Louise's husband and Father to his children the highest of all. I wish for him as he crossed the bar for his last time , a calm day and a following sea