A Life of Service, A Final Tribute: Honoring Commander William Lupton

How Gilchrist’s Salute to Service helped one family say goodbye with pride

A Distinguished Life of Dedication and Leadership

Commander William Lupton dedicated his life to serving his country, educating the next generation, and supporting his family. Born in Philadelphia in 1941, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1959, just out of high school. Over the years, he became a naval aviator, flying 141 combat missions over Vietnam and logging more than 5,000 flight hours. His exceptional service earned him five Strike/Flight Air Medals.

After retiring from the military as a naval commander, William went on to shape minds in higher education. He earned a Ph.D. in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School and helped establish the computer science departments at both Jackson State University and Morgan State University. Between these appointments, he also served as department chair at the U.S. Naval Academy before finishing his academic career at Morgan State University. Despite his impressive accomplishments, William was just as known for his kindness and wit as he was for his intellect. “He was as funny as he was smart,” shares his wife, Monica Lupton. “He looked like he could be stern, but he was incredibly warm and loving. Family meant everything to him.”

Finding Gilchrist at the Right Time

In the years following his military and academic service, William faced multiple health issues, including heart failure. When his condition worsened and the treatments could no longer keep up with the fluid buildup, Monica turned to Gilchrist for support. “We had reached a point where his heart just couldn’t manage the load,” Monica explains. “Gilchrist was recommended to us, and I already knew about them because my father had received hospice care through Gilchrist.”

The family decided to use Gilchrist’s home hospice care program so William could remain in the comfort of their home in Baltimore County. “That was really important to both of us,” Monica said. “He was able to be surrounded by family in his final days.”

Support for the Whole Family

From the moment William came under Gilchrist’s care, Monica felt supported—not just as his wife and caregiver, but as a person navigating the emotional weight of saying goodbye. “There were a few rough nights early on,” she recalls. “Gilchrist was there for both of us. They helped me stay calm when I knew he wasn’t doing well, and they guided me on how to help him be calm, too. I’m deeply grateful for the care he received, but I’m equally grateful for the compassion they showed me.”

A Salute to a Life of Service

Although William passed just days after entering hospice care, Monica wanted to honor his military service in a meaningful way. Gilchrist’s Veterans Task Force helped make that possible through their Salute to Service program, which honors veterans and their families with special tributes.

Instead of the traditional bedside ceremony, the Lupton family chose to incorporate the Salute to Service as part of William’s Maryland memorial service, which preceded his funeral in Philadelphia. “I especially wanted his sons, who grew up in the military, to experience it,” Monica shares. “The tribute came at the end of the memorial, and it couldn’t have been more fitting. It was absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Held at the March Life Tribute Center in Randallstown, the memorial honored William’s life and legacy among colleagues, friends, and loved ones in the community where he had taught and served.

A Legacy of Impact

William’s life left an indelible mark—on the Navy, on the students he mentored, and on the family who adored him. Monica says she feels honored to have walked through life with him and grateful to Gilchrist for helping her navigate his final chapter with dignity and peace. “He touched a lot of lives,” she said. “And I couldn’t be more proud to have had him as my husband.”

To learn more about Gilchrist’s Veteran program, visit: https://gilchristcares.org/services/hospice-care/specialized-hospice-programs/whv/