101 Years Young and Still Saluting: Bill Temmink’s WWII Tribute
At 101 years old, Bill Temmink still stands tall in spirit and pride when it comes to his military service. A proud Navy veteran of World War II, Bill recently received a heartfelt Salute to Service tribute from Gilchrist, honoring not only his courageous past but the legacy he continues to carry as a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Surrounded by all six of his children, Bill’s tribute was a powerful reminder that service, family, and honor are threads that bind a life well lived.
A Baltimore Native Who Answered the Call
Born in 1923 in Baltimore, Maryland, Bill Temmink graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School and began working at the Glenn L. Martin Company, helping build planes for the Allies under the Lend-Lease Act. At just 17, he enlisted in the Navy College Training (V-12) program—a path designed to prepare technically skilled officers for service during the war. His training took him to Villanova, Columbia University, and Harvard, where he completed his coursework as a communications officer.
Bill served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. His final assignment was aboard the USS Iowa, a command ship on its way to Japan following the Japanese surrender. He still proudly displays his copy of the October 30, 1944, issue of Life Magazine, featuring the newly launched Iowa on the cover—a ship once among the most heavily armed in the U.S. fleet.
After being honorably discharged in 1946, Bill returned to Loyola College to complete his degree and began his career with Shell Oil, working first as an accounting clerk and later as a sales representative to ships in the Port of Baltimore.
A Life Rooted in Family, Community, and Craftsmanship
In 1948, Bill married Mary Lee Friedel, a young woman he had met in his teens. Together, they built a home on Falls Road and raised six children. Bill was hands-on in all things—house maintenance, gardening, woodworking, and entertaining. He and Mary Lee were known for their warmth and hospitality, opening their home to family and friends for decades.
Later, they moved to Ruxton, where Bill continued his devotion to home projects and gardening. After Mary Lee’s passing in 2006, he moved to a local retirement community where he continued to thrive—hosting poker games, growing tomatoes, and forming new friendships well into his later years.
Gilchrist’s Salute to Service Program
As a proud Level 5 partner of the We Honor Veterans program, Gilchrist ensures that veterans in hospice and palliative care receive the recognition they deserve. The Salute to Service tribute is a meaningful way to honor those who served, offering personalized ceremonies led by Gilchrist staff and veteran volunteers. The program includes a formal pinning, a patriotic gift, and the presentation of thank-you cards made by local students. Families of veterans are also recognized and included in the tribute. These moments not only offer dignity and appreciation to veterans but also create lasting memories for families, connecting generations through shared pride and gratitude.
A Tribute 101 Years in the Making
When the Gilchrist team arrived to honor Bill Temmink, his entire family was present—his six children standing by as the ceremony unfolded. The tribute began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Bill was presented with a We Honor Veterans pin, a handmade patriotic blanket, and a thank-you card from a student. His children were each given a Proud Family Member of a Veteran pin—tokens that speak volumes about the legacy their father has created.
The ceremony concluded with an honor salute. And in true form, Bill—now 101 years old—sat upright and returned the salute with pride and precision.
To learn more, visit: Gilchrist’s We Honor Veterans Program