In loving memory of
William David Masters, Jr.

August 25, 1943

-

April 04, 2023

Obituary
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Obituary

P/C Rear Admiral William D. Masters
Passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
He and his wife, Grace, joined the Club in August 2000.
He served as Commodore in 2011.

Celebration of Life
Halifax River Yacht Club
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
2:30 p.m. with reception to follow
Attire: Yacht Club Casual

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to
*Honor Flight Network (HonorFlight.org) or
The American Heart Association (Heart.org).

Service

Location:

Halifax River Yacht Club
331 S. Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Get Driving Directions

Date & Time:

April 12, 2023 at 2:30 PM

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Stefan Gebhard lit a candle:

20 Apr 2023
Lori Rees says:

20 Apr 2023

I met Bill in his exercise program. I always liked hearing about his activities, his family, and his life, which seemed full to the brim. He had zest and knew how to live and love. He was an inspiration and will be missed. My sincerest condolonces to his wife and family.
Elena Richards lit a candle:

17 Apr 2023
Mike Balcom CTICM(NAC) USN (Ret) posted an image:

15 Apr 2023

Our love, condolences, and prayers for Grace and the Masters family.
RDML Bill Masters is my friend and was my Navy boss. He embodied Navy values and always put the Sailor first. My successive assignments to his staff were the pinnacle of my career as we got to slay a few dragons together. His charismatic leadership empowered those up and down the chain of command. Our lives have been enrichened by sharing time with him.
We have the Watch Admiral,
Fair Winds and Following Seas Skipper
Phil Rogers and family. Our families have many fond unforgetable memories together. lit a candle:

14 Apr 2023
Debbie Champnella lit a candle:

13 Apr 2023
Carmine and Philana lit a candle:

13 Apr 2023
Drew Freeman says:

13 Apr 2023

Bill had a profound impact on my life in just a few short years. He was a tremendous role model for positively impacting the lives of people around him. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know Bill & Grace through the HRYC. My deepest sympathies & condolences to the Masters Family. Bill will be greatly missed. His larger than life persona and light will shine on in perpetuity.
Sheri Closson Economou says:

13 Apr 2023

I have the best childhood memories of Mr. Masters spiking the punch at our piano recitals and many many fun times of our families boating together on the Potomac River. Many prayers of comfort to the Masters family! He was one of a kind.
Diane and Steven Amato lit a candle:

12 Apr 2023
Maggie Thompson says:

12 Apr 2023

I chose a red candle for you Bill as you were such a firebrand at our meetings together ❤. They won't be the same without you. I'll miss your emails after sending out the wine club notices - always my cheerleader. You'll always be a part of my yacht Club memories. Love and prayers to you Gracie and family.
Dave Huff says:

12 Apr 2023

My best tennis partner and my mentor when I served as Commodore has passed on and is hitting those put-away net shots in heaven. Jeni and I send our love to Gracie and the family and we will salute you later today at the Celebration of Life.
Maggie Thompson lit a candle:

12 Apr 2023
Steve & Janet Lauer posted an image:

12 Apr 2023

At Eau Gallie Yacht Club…
Our sincerest condolences to Gracie and family❤️
Geoffrey Land says:

12 Apr 2023

So sorry for your loss Grace, Billy, Stacy, Bob Masters, Billy and Jack, your Dad/Pop was a great man in so many ways. He was a great example of leadership, friendship and loyalty. He loved deeply, laughed hard, lived out loud and truly was larger than life. May God rest his soul and give his wonderful family peace as you all miss him. From the Lands to the Masters a friendship bonded over 45 years ago please accept our deepest, heartfelt condolences for Dad! He will forever be missed and always love. Truly one of a kind.
Thea Smith lit a candle:

11 Apr 2023
CAPT Peter A. ENCHELMAYER lit a candle:

11 Apr 2023
Kathy Martin says:

11 Apr 2023

Bill was a bundle of fun and a delight to learn from in every day lessons.
One of my first memories was sitting on garbage can lids on the beach at Snack Jack’s and my aunt and i playing our guitars and Bill knew every word to every song we played. The world is going to miss this fine man.
David L. Auth, CTIC says:

11 Apr 2023

RADM William D. Masters set the best example of courage, grace, and high intelligence for all citizen sailors to follow, to continue to preserve the greatest country on earth, the United States of America.
David L. Auth, CTIC says:

11 Apr 2023

I served fifteen commanding officers in nine named Naval Security Group Reserve Units in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida, after four years active duty (1970 - 1973; 1976 - 1996). On our mutual timeline of human history, many thousands of patriots have had the privilege of defending the best country ever on earth, the United States of America. RADM William D. Masters led his group of citizen sailors with unsurpassed courage, grace, and intelligence. May our replacements continue his fine example and never falter.
Nancy Fowler lit a candle:

11 Apr 2023
Maggie Bowe says:

10 Apr 2023

So sad to see someone who enjoyed life so much leave a little too soon.
He was a person who had it all, beautiful wife, children, respectable career and many friends.
What more in life is there?
As Queen Elizabeth once said “nobody gets to stay forever”
Deb Smith lit a candle:

10 Apr 2023
Arlene Ferro says:

10 Apr 2023

I’ll never forget your voice in your hearty laugh! I was blessed to know you and Grace since 2013 you will be very much missed!
Arlene Ferro lit a candle:

10 Apr 2023
Lisa (Waldon) ABSHIRE lit a candle:

10 Apr 2023
Lisa (Waldon) ABSHIRE lit a candle:

10 Apr 2023
Darrel L Van Kirk says:

10 Apr 2023

May perpetual light shine upon you, Admiral, and may God hold you, in the Palm of His Hand.
Jeannie Richards lit a candle:

10 Apr 2023
Jeannie Richards lit a candle:

10 Apr 2023
Kris Carmichael posted an image:

10 Apr 2023

Bill with his love, Gracie, relaxing on the sailboat in the French West Indies. It was a fun trip with friends.
We’re going to miss that easy smile.
Cindy McLaughlin lit a candle:

09 Apr 2023
Nancy Sutton lit a candle:

09 Apr 2023
Regina Larson lit a candle:

09 Apr 2023
Tom Kendziorski says:

08 Apr 2023

Rest in peace Rear Admiral Bill Masters. Mary and I extend our condolences deepest sympathies to Grace. Bill was a wonderful friend and trusted mentor. His outstanding legacy of leadership helped me and many of our Shipmates further our Navy careers. Fair winds and following seas, my friend …. Tom Kendziorski, RDML (Ret.)
Jim Goergen lit a candle:

08 Apr 2023
Doug Keown says:

07 Apr 2023

RADM Masters was a great person. His sense of humor was second to none and he always had good stories to tell. He was a wonderful leader and I know many who's careers in the Navy he made a big difference in......including mine! Without his help, I wouldn't have picked up my commission when I was a XTRC. He will be missed by many and there are just not enough superlatives to talk about him. Fair Winds and Following Seas Sir! See you on that big yacht you are sailing up above.
LCDR (ret) Doug Keown, Cryptologic Warfare Officer
Lawrie Davidson says:

07 Apr 2023

Bill will always be remembered as a great individual who would sacrifice himself to help anyone. It is/was with great pleasure that I knew him and all the good he did for our wonderful world. RIP Bill
CTRCM Rick Biederstadt says:

07 Apr 2023

RADM Masters was an amazing Leader and Friend. I had the opportunity to serve with him on multiple occassions. His sense of humor and commaraderie was infectious. In the Goat Locker we referred to him as "Two Dogs' after a joke he told over and over. I will miss him. I would follow him into cyber battle any day! Here's wishing his family all the best in this great loss. Fair winds and sleep well Sir! CTRCM (Ret) Rick A. Biederstadt SECGRU Program Master Chief.