Lt. William N. Mees, a.k.a Pop Pop

Dec. 9, 1946 - Sept. 25, 2021

Lt. William N. Mees, USN veteran, quintessential family man, community servant and fervent admirer of his lawn, passed away in his home on Saturday, September 25 surrounded by his loved ones.  In his own words, Bill's life was like a marathon, but he has finally crossed the finish line.

Bill's life took him around the world - to places like Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Saigon, Athens, Naples, Barcelona, Chamonix, and even from Key West to San Diego.  A proud graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968, Bill subsequently entered the US Navy and Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in 1969.  Upon completion of flight training, he was recognized as a Distinguished Naval Graduate and assigned to Fighter Squadron 74 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

At the conclusion of his training, Bill was deployed aboard the carrier U.S.S. America where he completed tours to the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam.  He accumulated over 1,000 hours of flight time, 200 carrier landings and 120 combat missions over North and South Vietnam flying the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom.  Over the course of his naval career, Bill was awarded seven Air Medals and two Navy Commendation Medals.

In 1976, Bill resigned his commission as Lieutenant and F-4 flight instructor with Fighter Squadron 101 and entered the private sector.  Soon after, Bill opened Hampton Brake, an auto repair shop in the heart of East Quogue, NY, where he honorably served his community for over 40 years.  An honest mechanic is both an oxymoron and an apt description of Bill, as evidenced by the blank checks left under floor mats and immense trust placed in him by his loyal customers.

Despite all of his accomplishments, accolades and acknowledgements, Bill is best known to those that knew him best as the epitome of a family man.   Bill carried on his soulmate Debbie's undying love for their children since her passing in 2007.  Together, they raised three children, Ashley, Kate and John, and their legacy will endure through their six grandchildren, Lily, Caroline, Jack, Parker, Will and Nicolás, not to mention an extended family of friends and companions too numerous to name.

Bill's selfless commitment to his children, grandchildren, friends and community have left an indelible imprint and will be felt for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the William N. Mees Memorial Scholarship . Checks can be made out to WHB UFSD, and put "Mees scholarship" in the memo line.

Send checks to:

Westhampton Beach High School

Attn: Guidance Dept/Mees scholarship

49 Lilac Rd

Westhampton Beach NY 11978

Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 30th from 2-4pm & 6-9pm.  There will be a funeral mass from St. Rosalie's Church on Friday at 10:30am followed by a burial in Calverton National Cemetery.

The family requests visitors wear a facemask while at the funeral home.