William Deane Thayer

William “Bill” Deane Thayer, 79, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at his home. He was born November 21, 1934, in Brockton, MA, to the late Melville L. and Alma F. (Eagan) Thayer. He held a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and a Doctoral Degree in Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary. He served in the US Navy as a Weapons Officer aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga CV-60, rising to the rank of Lieutenant, and taught control systems at the Naval Academy. He also taught Electrical Engineering at USI and UE, retiring in 1999. He met his wife through the Navigators Ministry in Norfolk, VA and continued ministering as a Bible study leader with the Navigators Colossians 2:7 Series for more than 20 years. He was also an Elder at Christian Fellowship Church. He enjoyed painting and gardening. Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Irene (Lawson) Thayer; sons, Timothy Deane (Barbara) Thayer of Wilson, NC and David Lawson (Cheryl) Thayer of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter, Rebecca Dianne (Les) Lipskoch of Mt. Vernon, IN; grandchildren, Connor D., Brittany C., and Quentin E. Thayer, Paul W. and David C. Thayer, CaSaundra K., Nathan L., Alisha M., Branden D., Joel C., and Kimberly D. Lipskoch; sister, Janet O’Reilly of Rockland, MA; nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be 6:00 PM Monday, November 3, 2014, at Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Road, officiated by Rev. David Niednagel and Rev. Cliff Herring. Friends may visit Monday from 3:00 PM until service time at the church. Graveside Services, with Military Rites, will be 2:00 PM CDT Wednesday, November 5, 2014, in Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to The Navigators, Project # 23819089, PO Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.