William Joseph “Bill” Mullaly, 88, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at his Virginia Beach home.
A native of Sayre, Pennsylvania, Bill was born April 13, 1930, to Mary and Harold Mullaly. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served his country for 31 years before retiring as a lieutenant commander. A proud Navy diver and submariner, Bill remained in close contact with his former shipmates and was active in a submarine veterans group until the time of his death.
Bill was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Rita, to whom he was married for 50 years. Together they raised five daughters, Mary Worrell (Phil), Rita Lysher (Pete), Catherine Neelley, Sharon MacDougall (Dan) and Eileen Cox (Sean). Also left to cherish his memory are Bill’s 15 grandchildren, Christopher, Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth, Becca, Joshua, Catherine, Michael, Alex, Laura, William, Rachel, Patrick, Tara and Philip; and eight great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his loving sisters, Sr. Catherine Anne Mullaly, Helen Tymoski (Joe) and Joan Cahill (Frank); and brother, John Mullaly.
A devout Catholic, Bill was a founding member of Church of the Ascension in Kempsville, where he attended daily Mass with the many dear friends he made over the last 45 years.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon, Saturday, Nov. 10, at Church of the Ascension, 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach. The family will receive friends to celebrate Bill’s life beginning at 11 a.m. at the church chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support the social ministries programs at Church of the Ascension.
Share online condolences with the family at Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Cremation.
