Born October 19, 1935 in Newport, Rhode Island, to William Sr. and Leota Fernstrom, William joined the US Navy in 1954. The commissioning of the USS Glacier at Pascagoula MS allowed him to accompany Admiral Byrd on his last trip to the Antarctic. Obtaining the rank of Master Chief during his service, William retired at Groton CT as head of the electronics school. Subsequently working for General Dynamics/Electric Boat, he helped design the first Trident submarine. After taking a job as an engineer with Monsanto he also earned his B.A. and M.A. cum laude from Webster University, St. Louis. Later retiring to San Diego, William was affiliated with USS SCAMP Base US Submarine Veterans Inc, where he served as past base commander.
William is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Julie Fernstrom, his 4 children Kathryn Fernstrom (South Milwaukee, WI) Barbara Reid (Hampton Falls, NH), Adrianne Fernstrom (Rockland, ME) and Scott Fernstrom (Buxton,ME), 8 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. William enjoyed traveling, nature, history, the arts, and music.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bill’s name to Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego CA