Captain William J. Frigge, U.S. Navy-ret., crossed over the bar on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

He was born on 23, January 1942 in Vincennes, Indiana, and educated in the Catholic school system there. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy from 1961 to 1965 and was commissioned an Ensign in June 1965. He also attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School from 1971 to 1973, obtaining an MBA in Oceanography, and the U.S. Naval War College, where he graduated with distinction in 1978.

Captain Frigge served as ship’s company on four destroyers and frigates, commanding the USS Truett (FF-1075). He also served on three seagoing staffs. He had four shore duty tours, including on the Navy staff in Korea. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnamese Service Medal with five Bronze Stars, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four Bronze Stars.

Captain Frigge met his wife of 57 years, Caren Lee (Jennings) Frigge, in Newport, R.I., in February 1968. They were married in December of the same year. They have two children, Lisa Frigge and Beth (Frigge) Zelibor, and four grandchildren, Abby, Alex, Kate, and Tori. As with most military families, they lived in different East and West Coast locations as well as the Republic of Korea in Seoul.

In April of 2000, Bill and Caren set the anchor for good in Mathews County, Virginia, on the banks of Queens Creek. There they joined and became lifetime members of the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad. Captain Frigge was a 15-year member of the Board of Directors, including one year as chairman. He also served as chairman of the building committee for the construction of the new squad building in 2006.

Captain Frigge is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His ashes will be scattered at sea by his family, becoming a part of it forever. Contributions may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the family.