William Harrison “Bill” Triplett Jr., 80, of McLean, Virginia passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA surrounded by family.
Bill was born on November 25, 1944 in Washington, DC to the late William Sr. and Martha Wilson Triplett. He grew up in Chevy Chase, MD and graduated from Landon School in 1963 where he won the Lower School and Upper School Headmaster awards. He was president of the student council his senior year and excelled on the football field. His summers were spent at Camp Wachusett, his father’s camp on Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire, where he made lifelong friends and cherished memories. He would return with his family to Squam Lake throughout his life to pay tribute to the place he loved.
Bill earned a BA degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1965, and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1968. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1971 and was active in Navy Supply Corps Reserves through 1995. He was recalled to active duty in 1990 in support of Operation Desert Storm and retired as a Captain from the U.S. Navy Supply Corps in January 1995. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with Star, Vietnam Service Medal with Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 4 Stars, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation with a Gallantry Medal with Palm, and the Naval Reserve Service Medal.
Between 1986 and his retirement in 2016, Bill was the Director, Labor Relations, for the National Electrical Contractors Association in Bethesda, Maryland. He loved his work and his NECA family.
Bill was a coach and strong supporter of boys lacrosse with McLean Youth Lacrosse, McLean High School, and Gettysburg College Lacrosse. He also completed four marathons and remained a runner for the rest of his life.
Bill was preceded in death by his sister Silence Stewart Triplett, mother Martha Wilson Triplett, and father William Harrison Triplett. Bill was the beloved husband of Caroline Light Triplett, his wife of 55 years; loving father of Jennifer Marshall Triplett (Michael), William Harrison Triplett III (Lori), James Markham Triplett (Ilenia), Thomas DeJarnette Triplett (Elizabeth) and Robert Lloyd Triplett (Stephanie); brother of Margaret Wilson Triplett and Mary Lloyd Zaiser; adoring grandfather, “Pop”, to Charlotte, Will, Ruby, Viviana, Lilith, Blair and Wesley and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was a true family man and loved by all.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, January 18, 11am, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 11 North Royal Avenue, Front Royal, Virginia with the Rev. Valerie Hayes officiating. After the reception, inurnment will follow at the Marshall Family Cemetery at Happy Creek, Marys Shady Lane, Front Royal, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bill’s legacy page at the American Heart Association at https://ahatribute.funraise.org/fundraiser/in-honor-of-william-h-triplett-jr.