Admiral Edward Patrick Travers
Vice Admiral (VADM) Edward Patrick Travers, 77, former CEO of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, died of natural causes in Richmond, Va, May 22. He was a resident of Richmond and former resident of Alexandria. Travers was born and raised in Mounds, IL before joining the Navy at the age of 17.
During a 41-year military career, VADM Travers was a "mustang," a term often used to describe enlisted men who subsequently become commissioned officers. He participated in the final stages of World War II on board a Pacific Fleet aircraft carrier, and was later assigned to submarine duty. He served on the submarines Razorback, Argonaut, and Hawkbill. He commanded the submarine Spikefish based in Key West, FL, in 1960.
After serving as Commander of Submarine Division 82, he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and earned a Masters of Science Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University. He served in several posts involving the Navy's budget and logistics during the Vietnam War. In 1980 he became the Vice Chief of Naval Material where he served until his retirement from the Navy in 1983.
VADM Travers served for 10 years as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Service Automobile Association (USAA), a worldwide insurance and financial services organization serving active, reserve, and former military. He served five consecutive terms on the Board, was a member of the Executive Committee, treasurer, and served four years as vice chairman.
After retiring from Naval Service, VADM Travers was elected President and CEO of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, a $150-million nonprofit organization with a mission to assist sailors, marines and their families in need. He created a college scholarship fund for children of active duty sailors and marines, providing up to 500 scholarships each year. The program was later named the Vice Admiral Edward P. Travers U.S. Navy Scholarship Fund.
VADM Travers' military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, The Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Distinguished Public Service Medal, Order of Naval Merit Award (by the Republic of Brazil) and various area and campaign ribbons including decorations by the U.S., Brazil, and Vietnam governments.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, the former Margorie Bingaman of Ullin, IL; sons Edward, Jr. (Richmond VA), Ronald (Short Pump, VA), and John (Charlotte Hall, MD); grandchildren Ryan, Aaron, Bryan, Timothy, and Nathan; and great-grandchildren Mary Ryan, Connor, and Tyler. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters: James Travers of Springfield, IL, and Charles Travers of Birmingham, MI; Mary Ann Travers Squires and Sarah Jane Travers Clarke both of Olive Branch, FL.
VADM Travers was a member of The Retired Officers Association, The Untied States Submarine League and of St Mary's Catholic Church, Richmond VA.
Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Vice Admiral Edward P. Travers Scholarship Fund, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 801 N Randolph St, Suite 1228, Arlington, VA 22203 or the American Diabetes Association.
Julia Frances Mathis
On Saturday, May 18, Julia Frances Mathis, a long-time resident of the Ladrey Building at 300 Wythe St., died. She is survived by nieces, nephews and many friends. A funeral service was held on Thursday, May 23 at St. Paul C.M.E. Church in Sparta, Ga., with internment in the church cemetery.
Bill and Hazel Brawley
Hazel Brawley died on Nov. 10, 2001 in Missoula, Mont. and husband Bill died less than two months later on Jan. 6, also in Missoula. They were married on Sept. 12, 1940 in Aztec, N.M. and spent most of their married life in Alexandria and Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
Bill served as a radar bombardier for the U.S. Air Force during World War II. After the way, he returned to Washington, D.C. and served as Chief of Staff for the Post Office and Civil Service Committee in the U.S. Senate from 1949-1960. He was a top political strategist for the 1956 Stevenson campaign, 1960 Kennedy campaign, 1964 Johnson campaign and the 1972 and 1976 campaigns for Senator "Scoop" Jackson in his bed for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bill was appointed and served as Deputy Postmaster General in the Kennedy administration. He left to become vice chairman of the National Democratic Committee in 1963. He was elected Mayor of Harpers Ferry in 1977 and served until 1981. He was reelected in 1986 and served until he moved to Colorado in 1989.
The Brawleys are survived by daughters Frederica Adkinson of Bonner, Mont. and Carol Brawley of County Cork, Ireland, as well as a grandson, Frederic Adkinson of Turah, Mont.
A gathering to celebrate their lives will be held at Harper Cemetery at Harpers Ferry, W.Va. on Monday, June 10 at 2 p.m.
Arrangements are by the Eackles-Spencer Funeral Home at Harpers Ferry.