William Dallas Bethea, Capt. USN (Ret)

william bethea, capt. usn (ret)

May 6, 1945 ~ January 10, 2024

Born in: Atlanta, GA
Resided in: Vienna, VA

 

 
Captain William Dallas Bethea III passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his home in Vienna, Virginia at the age of 78. Dallas was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 6, 1945, the son of William “Bill” Dallas Bethea Jr. and Betty Ashurst Bethea.

Dallas is survived by his wife, Gayle Lorraine (Garside) Bethea; his children, Robert Patrick Bethea and Bonnie Bethea Limmer; his daughter-in-law, Jillian (Biller) Bethea; his son-in-law, Joe Limmer; and his grandchildren, Morgan, Katherine, Caroline, Parker, Sarah, Benjamin, and Elizabeth.

Though born in Georgia, Dallas was raised in Los Angeles, California, and throughout his many moves during his 32-year career with the United States Navy he remained an ardent lover of the Golden State. He attended Venice High School and made a life-long bond with a group of friends, known as the “Sultans”, that were known for mischievous antics that were hilariously retold at reunions and informal get togethers. He was also passionately involved in baseball and was a celebrated pitcher that almost made it to the big leagues with an offer from the Baltimore Orioles. But, alas, the call to public service was a more powerful draw.

He graduated from California State University, Northridge in 1969 with a major in History, which continued as a lifetime passion. He remained a dedicated supporter of the CSUN History Department and established a scholarship in honor of a former professor and dear family friend, James “Jim” Sefton, to be given to a history major or graduate student enrolled in the University’s History Department and had a demonstrated interest in United States political, constitutional, or military history. In 2013, the History Department established the annual Distinguished History Alumni Award to those who have had a successful career in their chosen field. Dallas was the first recipient of this award and delivered a speech at a formal reception held in his honor.

Dallas enlisted in the Naval Reserve in March 1966 as a selectee in the Reserve Officer Candidate program. He was commissioned in April 1969 after marrying his bride of almost 55 years, Gayle, and graduating from Officer Candidate School. His first active-duty assignment was Naval Beach Group ONE in Yokosuka, Japan, where he participated in Operation KEYSTONE CARDINAL which was the first major phase of Marine withdrawal from Vietnam. Dallas and Gayle have fond memories of their newly married life living in a Japanese paper house out in the middle of a rice paddy. Following that tour, and after augmentation into the Regular Navy, he served aboard USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25) from 1970 to 1974. During this period, he completed three operational deployments to Vietnam.

Dallas had a great passion for the Navy and the sailors who worked with him, especially when he was assigned to a ship. His tours spanned several, including the USS LEAHY (CG 16) as an Operations Officer - 1977-1979 and the USS WADSWORTH (FFG 9) as an Executive Officer. But his two great naval loves were the ships where he assumed command: the USS GARY (FFG 51) and the USS COWPENS (CG 63).

In December 1986, he assumed command of USS GARY (FFG 51), in Bunbury, Australia. While in command of GARY, the ship deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation PRAYING MANTIS and was subsequently awarded two Battle Efficiency Awards and sixteen departmental awards while assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron NINE.

During his command of USS COWPENS from 1993 to 1995, the ship was deployed twice with the KITTY HAWK Battle Group to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific, won two Battle Efficiency Awards and the 1994 Spokane Trophy as the top surface warship in the Pacific Fleet based on sustained operational and combat systems excellence.

In 1998, Dallas retired after more than 32 years in the Navy and settled in Vienna, Virginia. Dallas’ career awards include four Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals.

For those that knew him, it’s understood that his military career was very important to him. But what he truly prioritized was family, friends, laughter, and adventure. He and Gayle were avid travelers, taking numerous cross-country road trips – even traveling the full Route 66 – and taking over 20+ cruises across the world. He was an award-winning storyteller. He loved fast cars, John Belushi movies, politics, dirty jokes, and butter-cream frosting. He loved to brag about his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a deeply proud and sentimental man who cherished friendships and memories, especially those of his loving parents, Bill and Betty. We are comforted that he’s with them again.

“Rest easy, Captain Daddy. We’ve got the watch.”

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 11 AM at the Church of the Holy Comforter – 543 Beulah Rd NE, Vienna, VA 22180 – with a reception afterwards at the church. The memorial service will be streamed live on the Church’s YouTube channel for those that cannot attend in person. https://www.youtube.com/@holycomforterviennava463/featured Dallas will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery this summer with military funeral honors with funeral escorts, which is the pomp and circumstance that he adored.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made payable to the CSUN Foundation History Department scholarship fund that Dallas established. In the memo section designate the gift to: James Sefton History Scholarship Endowment, in honor of Dallas Bethea. Checks should be sent to: California State University, Northridge Foundation 18111 Nordhoff Avenue – Valera Hall 110 Northridge, CA 91330-8296. Gifts can also be made through the Foundation’s giving website at https://engage.csun.edu/SeftonEndow

 

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