Dorwart retires after 50 years in U.S. Navy

Fifty years ago a young Sidney man found his way into the Navy. A week ago today, that man retired as a highly respected man of God and of the Navy, who would remain serving both capacities if he could.

Lieutenant Commander William Dorwart stood in the hangar bay of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt at the Naval Base San Diego, honored by Navy friends and family, plus members of his own family who could make the trip.

When Dorwart left Nebraska, he became an aviation electronic technician. When his four year enlistment was up, Dorwart felt the call of his Roman Catholic upbringing. Using his G.I. Bill, Dorwart attended the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1980.

Father Dorwart, or "Father Bill," as he was known, served parishes in South Bend, Ind. and Phoenix, Ariz. before the call of the sea returned. He returned to the Navy in 1985, and after receiving chaplain training was assigned to the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan.

Since then, Dorwart has served in a number of capacities, including his first sea assignment on the U.S.S. Midway.

In the middle of his naval career, Dorwart answered the higher of his two callings and in May of 1991 was asked by Notre Dame to serve as director of education for candidates for priesthood. He served as a Naval Reservist as well, until 1997, he was asked to serve as the chief executive officer (Provincial Superior) of operations in several countries in North and South America and Africa. At that time, he resigned his commission when his duties prevented participation in reservist activities. Dorwart continued in that capacity until 2003.

After serving only the priesthood for another five years, Father Bill returned to the Navy in 2008. Assignments in that second go-round include service on the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, and at the Naval District in Washington, D.C.

Now, at his retirement (official in November), LtCdr. Dorwart is the oldest chaplain. His decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), the Good Conduct medal, and numerous unit, service and campaign awards.

Dorwart's sister Charlotte, of Sidney, attended the ceremony and said she thinks if he could physically do it, her brother would stay on duty.

"He loves the water. He loves being on board the ship," Charlotte said.

But, as William told a San Diego newspaper recently, he's happy with what he's accomplished and that he hopes he's made a difference for the young men and women he's seen.

Dorwart told the San Diego Unious Tribune that he saw himself as bringing hope to sailors when life at sea can feel lonely.

When Dorwart himself was one of those 18 and 19 year olds facing the huge life changes of service and being far from home, he got his help from a chaplain. That interaction, Dorwart told the paper, planted the seed for his own work.

He also said that work isn't done. While he will no longer be serving in the Navy, his work isn't done and he plans to return to a congregation until that enlistment is fulfilled as well.