WILLIAM T. BARTRAM, LT, USN
William Bartram '82
Lucky Bag
From the 1982 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM THOMAS BARTRAM
Bothell, Washington
Tramp
Bill arrived in Annapolis from that great (?) northwestern city of "Brothel," Washington, via that unique institution NAPS. Through his many childhood experiences (he was a Navy brat), he slowly but surely compiled enough information to for "The Bartram Chronicles." Like fairy tales, these stories all end in the same way. Not with "they lived happily ever after," but with "it was great." In addition, these stories always contained the Bartram Factor. This universal law, not to be confused with Murphy's Law, states that any numerical quantity must be halved to attain the truth (B.F.: truth or reality = x/2). There is also the 60, 40, 35 corollary. Of course we can't forget the many "Marine Corps mornings" he had either.
But then there's always DAMTRAMID, where Bill had his Waterloo. He was such a fun loving guy until he met what's her name… that's right, Bessy. All those sleepless nights when his roommates stayed up worrying about him. Although he's aiming for Navy Air, after all those M.C.M.'s I thought he'd go Green of that life with fast women, fast 'Vettes and fast jets.
WILLIAM THOMAS BARTRAM
Bothell, Washington
Tramp
Bill arrived in Annapolis from that great (?) northwestern city of "Brothel," Washington, via that unique institution NAPS. Through his many childhood experiences (he was a Navy brat), he slowly but surely compiled enough information to for "The Bartram Chronicles." Like fairy tales, these stories all end in the same way. Not with "they lived happily ever after," but with "it was great." In addition, these stories always contained the Bartram Factor. This universal law, not to be confused with Murphy's Law, states that any numerical quantity must be halved to attain the truth (B.F.: truth or reality = x/2). There is also the 60, 40, 35 corollary. Of course we can't forget the many "Marine Corps mornings" he had either.
But then there's always DAMTRAMID, where Bill had his Waterloo. He was such a fun loving guy until he met what's her name… that's right, Bessy. All those sleepless nights when his roommates stayed up worrying about him. Although he's aiming for Navy Air, after all those M.C.M.'s I thought he'd go Green of that life with fast women, fast 'Vettes and fast jets.
Loss
William was lost on January 20, 1989 when the US-3A Viking jet he was piloting crashed in the Philippines. He was flying for a detachment of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 50, which was operating from USS Midway (CV 41) at the time.
Other Information
He was the pilot training officer, and at the time of the crash he was doing a check ride for the squadron commanding officer, Captain Robert W. Geeding, who was also killed.
From Lawrence County, Kentucky Genealogical & Historical Society:
Lt. William T. Bartram, 29, of Subic Bay, Philippines, died Jan 20 as the result of a plane crash in the Philippines. Lt. Bartram was born May 30, 1959, son of Fred Dan and Monica Grady Bartram of Bothell, WA. He was a naval aviator attached to VRC 50 Subic Bay, Philippines. He graduated from the U. S. Navy Academy, Annapolis, MD. Surviving are his wife, Jodie Cooktus Bartram, Philippines, 2 daughters, Kelly Jo Bartram and Katie Bartram, both of Philippines; one brother, James D. Bartram; Bothell, WA. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Big Sandy News, Jan 25, 1989
William is buried in the Naval Academy cemetery.
Photographs
From the 1982 Lucky Bag
Other
The aircraft William was flying was the US-3A, one of a handful of S-3A aircraft converted to be the carrier onboard delivery aircraft. This exact plane is pictured here, a few days before the crash.
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