William "Bill" Mesplay

Birth date: Dec 21, 1936 Death date: Apr 29, 2025

William (Bill) L. Mesplay, age 88, of Brentwood passed away Tuesday April 29, 2025. He was born December 21, 1936 in Nevada, Missouri to James and Dorothy Mesplay. Bill joined the United States Navy at 17 years old and served for Read Obituary

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Marvin Hadley

23w ago

I first met Bill on the USS
Askari in 1969 where I was assigned to the diving locker. We were there to repair the dozens of Rivercraft that patrolled the waters.
I learned so many things from Bill and was always impressed by his professional attitude and dedication to whatever task we were working on.
We left the Askari together in 1970 and stayed in touch and I went to work for Bill in Arkansas in the welding shop.
We enjoyed a lot of evenings on his back porch, listening to the chorus of all the insects in the woods and having a cup of coffee with some special Irish drink. I remember a lot of delicious meals Maureen fixed while I stayed with them. Thank you Maureen!
I enjoy the memories of all the Navy adventures and all the different jobs and the characters that we worked with. It was a good time.
His spirit stays with me.

Marvin Hadley
Fort Mohave Arizona

Jac Copes

25w ago

As a young sailor in the late '60s I was stationed on the USS Askari (ARL-30) in the rivers of South Vietnam as a shipfitter. It was there that I was first influenced by Chief Mesplay and some of the other divers. Because of him I entered into the world of Undersea life. And what a wonderful journey it was. Because of him I found a passion and a career.
Jac Copes Cdr. USN, ret.

Bob Slover

25w ago

Bill and I grew up together in Nevada, after Bill retired from tha Navy he and his wife Maureen stopped at our house and had a good visit and meal as they were on there way South. Always remember when Bill switched the gear shift to the left side. LOL

Anonymous

25w ago

Sent a Sacred Duty Spray to the Mesplay family.

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Tom Cullison

25w ago

I was a diving officer on the Mark II Mod 0 system with Master Diver Mesplay on board Elk River. He was the calm professional among of us - our role model. I learned a lot from Bill that came into play many times throughout my Navy career.

Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Tom Cullison
("Tommy Watch Your Guage")

Randy & Linda Bradley

25w ago

in honor of William.

We send our deepest condolences to all Bill’s family.

A serene illustration of a lit pastel green candle with a small white blossom and a three-leaf sprig resting at its base, set against a soft green background.

Georgie & Vickie Henson

25w ago

So sorry to hear of the passing of our dear friend and neighbor, Bill, who was a kind man to all that he came across. He will be remembered as a man that always had a good story to tell and a kind word to share! See you soon Bill. Georgie and Vickie Henson

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