William Johnson "Bill" Palmer Jr., 75, of Charlotte Hall, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2019 at MedStar Washington Hospital Center surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on February 24, 1944 to the late William Johnson Palmer, Sr. and the late Bernice Esther Lockhart Palmer. Bill met his wife, Catherine Wengerd Palmer and they were married on September 13, 1963, celebrating over fifty (50) years of blissful marriage. They began their family, welcoming five (5) children.

Bill enlisted in the US Navy at 19 years of age and received numerous awards for his service, to include: Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Award and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Bill was proud of his service, especially his contribution to the Vietnam War. He was honorably separated in 1983, retiring after 20 years of service.

Bill enjoyed keeping his hands busy with rope knot art and woodworking. He was quite the artist making many intricate pieces his family will treasure. Bill's love of the sea, travelling and firearms were both a direct product of his time spent in the Navy. He was a happy man who enjoyed singing, beekeeping and reading to his grandchildren. Family was everything to Bill. He was a member of the Beekeeper's Association and the Charles County Amateur Radio Club. A man is only as great as the legacy he leaves behind and Bill was surrounded by wonderful people. A more kind, strong, and honorable man could not be found. He will be missed by many but none more than his family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Catherine; his sons, William J. Palmer III (Teffany) of Tennessee, James E. Palmer (Elora) of South Carolina; daughters, Tammy L. Smith (Jeff) of Lusby and Mary B. Alberding (Gary) of Pennsylvania; brother, Jonathan L. Palmer Sr. of Charlotte Hall and sisters, Elsie H. Palmer-Willis of Colorado, Bernice E. Howell of Arkansas and Rebecca E. Phelps of Virginia; 4 grandchildren and many extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Charles A. Palmer and his brother, Paul Edward Palmer, Sr.

The family will receive friends for Bill's Visitation on Sunday, December 29, 2019 from 2:00 to 5:00pm and Monday, December 30, 2019 from 10:00 to 11:00am at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 11:00am and officiated by Pastor Kevin Gascon and Pastor Gary Alberding of Solid Rock Church also held at Brinsfield Funeral Home, Charlotte Hall. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers are James Palmer, Butch Palmer, Neil Alberbing, Jonathan Palmer, Sr., Sonny Rhodes and Tom Watson. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Lawson and Jeff Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bill's name may be made to The Honeybee Conservancy, 1732 1St Avenue., #28748, New York, NY 10128 or the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.