Captain William (Bill) Joseph Loefstedt, United States Coast Guard (Retired), 69, passed away at Providence Hospital, Mobile, Alabama, on Wednesday, March 8th , 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 9, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York. In 1963, Bill graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College at Ft. Schuyler, Bronx, New York with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation and a U. S. Coast Guard License as Third Mate in the U. S. Merchant Marine. Bill was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard upon completing Office Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia. In 1979, he graduated from the George Washington University in Washington, D. C. with a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Bill had a distinguished career of twenty-eight (28) years in the United States Coast Guard attaining the rank of Captain. His initial afloat assignments included service aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutters Matagorda and Bering Strait during the Viet Nam War. Bill held prestigious shore assignments as Captain of the Port of Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee.
Captain Loefstedts awards include two (2) U.S. Coast Guard Commendation Medals; the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation; the National Defense Medal, the Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon with two (2) stars, the Sea Service Ribbon and the Vietnamese Service Medal. After uniformed service, Bill worked in the maritime industry throughout the U. S. Gulf Coast area.
In retirement, Bill enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife and family, traveling the world, and volunteering at the Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church. Most recently, he took great pleasure in gardening and serving as President of the Baldwin County Master Gardeners.
Bill is survived by his wife, Peggy, his children Robert Loefstedt (Alexandra) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Brian Loefstedt (Angela) of San Diego, California; and Christine Jacobs (Steven) of Mobile, Alabama. He is further survived by his ten wonderful grandchildren. Internment was at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, Virginia.
FMSAA