Captain William Kenneth Banks, USN (Ret), ”Bill, Dad, Gramps”, 89, went to Heaven on January 13, 2024. He was born on August 12, 1934, to the late Arleile Sweetser Banks and George Powers Banks. Bill was a graduate of Bangor High School (1952) and Maine Maritime Academy (1956).
Bill was married to his loving wife, Sandy, for 64 years and was a devoted family man… he deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Although dedicated to his military career, his family was at the forefront of every decision. Having Sandy, the best Navy wife a Naval officer could ask for, allowed Bill to focus on his work responsibilities knowing life at home would run smoothly. Communication via cassette tapes and letters were a part of every deployment for him and his children to stay in touch – even when that communication included “fatherly advice” months after an infraction took place. Bill had the full respect of each of his children, and he and Sandy always supported each other when it came to raising them. He always taught his children the values of responsibility, respect, honesty, hard work, and love of family. Because of his example, the importance of those qualities will continue to be instilled in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 30 years. After being commissioned in June of 1956, he served in the United States Merchant Marines. In March of 1958, he commenced active duty service in the United States Navy as a Naval Officer. He began his Naval career as the Executive Officer of the USS Takelma in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In January of 1959, he reported for duty as the Staff Commander at Hawaiian Sea Frontier. He then served as the Communications Officer on the USS Union, the Operations Officer on the USS Lenawee, and the Navigator and First Lieutenant on the USS Sylvania.
After completing his tour of duty in Naples, Italy, Bill reported to Commander, Service Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet as the Operations Officer. This was followed by additional tours as the Executive Officer of the USS Mauna Loa and the Civil Operations Rural Development Support Directorate, U.S. Military Assistance Command, in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He returned to the states in 1970 as the Command and Control Officer to the Director of the Amphibious Warfare Board Staff in Norfolk, Virginia.
Bill’s next assignment as Commanding Officer of the USS Waccamaw in November of 1972 was one of the highlights of his career. Subsequent assignments in Norfolk, Virginia included Chief Staff Officer (Commander Amphibious Squadron Eight), Executive Officer (Naval Amphibious School Little Creek), Staff Officer (Commander Naval Surface Force, US Atlantic Fleet), and Officer in Charge (Saudi Naval Expansion Program (SNEP)). One of his most proud accomplishments during this time was being promoted to the rank of Captain.
In late 1979 as their children were entering high school and college, Bill and Sandy put family first and decided to keep their family in Virginia Beach while Bill reported back to Naples, Italy for an unaccompanied tour as the Chief Staff Officer of Commander Naval Surface Group Mediterranean.
Staff Officer (Commander Naval Surface Force, US Atlantic Fleet), Officer in Charge (Saudi Naval Expansion Program (SNEP)), and Commander (Naval Beach Group Two) were his final tours of duty before retiring in June of 1987. Bill often spoke of how honored he was to serve in the United States Navy. His many deployments allowed him to experience the comradery of shipmates, make life-long friends, and see the world while proudly serving his country. And although his lengthy deployments were hard, Sandy and his children always looked forward to seeing him standing proudly on the bridge of the ship as it sailed into port. After retirement from active duty, Bill continued his service as a Project Manager, working as a liaison between Navy and contractor personnel in the Shipbuilding industry for the next 20 years.
Since 1998, Bill and Sandy split their time between homes in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Scarborough, Maine, ultimately making a permanent move to Maine. Fortunately for them, they had family in both locations to spend time with. Bill had a passion for good restaurants and fine wine. Wherever he dined, he made a point to engage in good conversation with the restaurant staff while he enjoyed a glass of Chardonnay. He was also happy being on the golf course playing the game he enjoyed with family and friends. One of his proudest golf moments was making a hole-in-one at Nonesuch River Golf Club. Fortunately for his wallet, there were not many other golfers in the clubhouse to help him celebrate.
Bill was predeceased by his wife and parents; his grandson, Steven “Tiger”; nieces Heather, Lisa, and Natasha; and grandnephew, Collin; and his brother-in-law, Sanford Miller.
He is survived by his sister, Joanne Miller, of Bangor, ME; brother, Frank Banks and his wife, Marny, of Fairfax, VA; sister-in-law, Marie MacMillan and her husband, Stanley, of Hampden, ME; son, Steven Banks, of Standish, ME; daughters, Lauri Dean and her husband, John, of Gorham, ME, Lynaire Campbell, and her husband, Ron, of Check, VA, and Susan Banks, of Suffolk, VA; grandchildren, Lindsay Moran and her husband, Chris, of Chelmsford, MA, Andrew Dean, of Washington, DC, Victoria Banks, of Standish, ME, and Taylor Banks, of Standish, ME; four great-grandchildren, Cameron, Harper, and Brooklyn Moran, and Nichole Reardon; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on May 17, 2024 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, ME beginning with an honor guard detail and followed by a graveside burial for both Bill and his wife, Sandy. A time for the service will be announced as the date nears.
We love and miss you, Dad, and wish you fair winds and following seas…
Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make donations to the following organizations. Please reference “William K. Banks” with your gift.
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Philanthropy Office, P.O. Box 2156, Norfolk, VA 23501-2156 or CKD
Maine Maritime Academy, Advancement, 1 Pleasant St., Castine, ME 04421 or Maine Maritime
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Captain William Kenneth Banks, Usn (Ret), please visit our flower store.
Bill was married to his loving wife, Sandy, for 64 years and was a devoted family man… he deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Although dedicated to his military career, his family was at the forefront of every decision. Having Sandy, the best Navy wife a Naval officer could ask for, allowed Bill to focus on his work responsibilities knowing life at home would run smoothly. Communication via cassette tapes and letters were a part of every deployment for him and his children to stay in touch – even when that communication included “fatherly advice” months after an infraction took place. Bill had the full respect of each of his children, and he and Sandy always supported each other when it came to raising them. He always taught his children the values of responsibility, respect, honesty, hard work, and love of family. Because of his example, the importance of those qualities will continue to be instilled in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 30 years. After being commissioned in June of 1956, he served in the United States Merchant Marines. In March of 1958, he commenced active duty service in the United States Navy as a Naval Officer. He began his Naval career as the Executive Officer of the USS Takelma in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In January of 1959, he reported for duty as the Staff Commander at Hawaiian Sea Frontier. He then served as the Communications Officer on the USS Union, the Operations Officer on the USS Lenawee, and the Navigator and First Lieutenant on the USS Sylvania.
After completing his tour of duty in Naples, Italy, Bill reported to Commander, Service Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet as the Operations Officer. This was followed by additional tours as the Executive Officer of the USS Mauna Loa and the Civil Operations Rural Development Support Directorate, U.S. Military Assistance Command, in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He returned to the states in 1970 as the Command and Control Officer to the Director of the Amphibious Warfare Board Staff in Norfolk, Virginia.
Bill’s next assignment as Commanding Officer of the USS Waccamaw in November of 1972 was one of the highlights of his career. Subsequent assignments in Norfolk, Virginia included Chief Staff Officer (Commander Amphibious Squadron Eight), Executive Officer (Naval Amphibious School Little Creek), Staff Officer (Commander Naval Surface Force, US Atlantic Fleet), and Officer in Charge (Saudi Naval Expansion Program (SNEP)). One of his most proud accomplishments during this time was being promoted to the rank of Captain.
In late 1979 as their children were entering high school and college, Bill and Sandy put family first and decided to keep their family in Virginia Beach while Bill reported back to Naples, Italy for an unaccompanied tour as the Chief Staff Officer of Commander Naval Surface Group Mediterranean.
Staff Officer (Commander Naval Surface Force, US Atlantic Fleet), Officer in Charge (Saudi Naval Expansion Program (SNEP)), and Commander (Naval Beach Group Two) were his final tours of duty before retiring in June of 1987. Bill often spoke of how honored he was to serve in the United States Navy. His many deployments allowed him to experience the comradery of shipmates, make life-long friends, and see the world while proudly serving his country. And although his lengthy deployments were hard, Sandy and his children always looked forward to seeing him standing proudly on the bridge of the ship as it sailed into port. After retirement from active duty, Bill continued his service as a Project Manager, working as a liaison between Navy and contractor personnel in the Shipbuilding industry for the next 20 years.
Since 1998, Bill and Sandy split their time between homes in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Scarborough, Maine, ultimately making a permanent move to Maine. Fortunately for them, they had family in both locations to spend time with. Bill had a passion for good restaurants and fine wine. Wherever he dined, he made a point to engage in good conversation with the restaurant staff while he enjoyed a glass of Chardonnay. He was also happy being on the golf course playing the game he enjoyed with family and friends. One of his proudest golf moments was making a hole-in-one at Nonesuch River Golf Club. Fortunately for his wallet, there were not many other golfers in the clubhouse to help him celebrate.
Bill was predeceased by his wife and parents; his grandson, Steven “Tiger”; nieces Heather, Lisa, and Natasha; and grandnephew, Collin; and his brother-in-law, Sanford Miller.
He is survived by his sister, Joanne Miller, of Bangor, ME; brother, Frank Banks and his wife, Marny, of Fairfax, VA; sister-in-law, Marie MacMillan and her husband, Stanley, of Hampden, ME; son, Steven Banks, of Standish, ME; daughters, Lauri Dean and her husband, John, of Gorham, ME, Lynaire Campbell, and her husband, Ron, of Check, VA, and Susan Banks, of Suffolk, VA; grandchildren, Lindsay Moran and her husband, Chris, of Chelmsford, MA, Andrew Dean, of Washington, DC, Victoria Banks, of Standish, ME, and Taylor Banks, of Standish, ME; four great-grandchildren, Cameron, Harper, and Brooklyn Moran, and Nichole Reardon; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on May 17, 2024 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, ME beginning with an honor guard detail and followed by a graveside burial for both Bill and his wife, Sandy. A time for the service will be announced as the date nears.
We love and miss you, Dad, and wish you fair winds and following seas…
Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make donations to the following organizations. Please reference “William K. Banks” with your gift.
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Philanthropy Office, P.O. Box 2156, Norfolk, VA 23501-2156 or CKD
Maine Maritime Academy, Advancement, 1 Pleasant St., Castine, ME 04421 or Maine Maritime
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Memorial Service
Brookings-Smith, Bangor
A time for the service will be announced as the date nears
Interment
Mount Hope Cemetery
Will be announced in the spring
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