William “Bill” Crow, retiring president of the Virginia Ship Repair Association, dedicated his life’s work to the maritime industry.
Crow, a retired Navy captain, died on Oct. 25. He was 67.
Brad Moyer, vice president of business development and strategic planning for BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, served on the association’s board. He called Crow a great American.
“He loved the industry and he loved the Navy,” Moyer said. “I will miss his positive attitude.”
This past spring, Crow announced his retirement from the ship repair association. He intended to stay on until the end of the year. He welcomed aboard his successor, retired Navy Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, when he took the helm in early August.
In an online statement, the association reflected on Crow’s wise leadership and kindness. They also said they will continue to be the “Strength behind the fleet,” just as Crow would have wanted.
David White, executive director of the Virginia Maritime Association, said he considered Crow to be the strength behind the advocacy organization and he was proud to call him both his colleague and a friend.
“You could not have had a stronger, more respected voice for the interests that he represented — the ship repairers and the men and women in the ship repair industry,” White said. “He had relationships at the highest levels of industry in Congress and in the Navy.”
In a birthday message on Facebook in December 2023, the association lauded Crow for making the association stronger through his expertise in the ship repair industry and recognized reputation as a collaborative leader.
Todd Corillo, spokesperson for Hungtington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division said they are deeply saddened and will miss their teammate.
”His steadfast leadership of the Virginia Ship Repair Association was a driving force across the maritime industrial base to improve the readiness of the Navy,” Corillo said in an email.
A native of Western Kentucky, Crow earned his bachelor’s degree and was commissioned as an ensign from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. He also holds a master’s degree from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
During his 30-year naval career, he served on board various ships, including the USS Pharris, USS Briscoe, USS Peterson and USS Austin. He also held key leadership positions on shore, including executive officer of Naval Station Norfolk and the last commanding officer of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and first commanding officer of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
After retiring from a storied naval career in 2010, Crow didn’t go far. He transitioned to the private business sector, working as a senior naval consultant for McKean Defense Group.
And for the past 13 years, he worked tirelessly for the ship repair industry, focusing on advocacy and workforce development initiatives as head of the association.
Jordan Webb, president and general manager of Colonna’s Shipyard and VSRA board member, said Crow’s passing is a tremendous loss for the entire industry and will leave a huge void in the ship repair community and Norfolk.
“He was just the epitome of a true patriot,” Webb said. “He was dedicated to serving this country and that went on long after he took the uniform off and moved into the private sector. Having worn the uniform and sailed these vessels, he understood the importance of what the shipyard and ship repair industry does for not only the Navy, but for the entire maritime industry.”
In August 2024, Crow participated in a podcast praising the vitality of the American Society of Naval Engineers. Crow was one year into a three-year term as a vice president of its national council.
During the “Talk a Little, Learn a Lot” discussion, Crow stressed the importance of getting young blood involved in the society and ready to take the reins to move it forward into the 21st century.
Crow resided in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake. He leaves behind his wife, Jeanne, and four grown children, John, Karen, Sara and Kevin.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com
