William (Bill) R. Melgaard, 81, passed away on October 25, 2025.  Bill was born in Tucson, AZ, on December 14, 1943, to the late S. Ross Melgaard and Helene Rodgers Melgaard, grew up in Kansas City, MO, and lived most of his adult life in Hampton.  He was a 1961 graduate of Pembroke Hill School. After serving in Vietnam, he received a B.S. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. from Old Dominion University.  He was a Professional Engineer specializing in naval architecture and a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). Bill was a 50-year member of the St. John's Episcopal Church choir in Hampton.  He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, sailing, playing pickle ball, tinkering with metal working, telling jokes, and playing his bagpipes. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Claudia D. Melgaard; stepdaughters Rebecca W. Bales (Tom) and Sarah W. Vanlandingham; and grandson Collin E. Vanlandingham.  Bill is also survived by his brother Eric J. Melgaard (Donna), sister Barbara L. McGlothlen, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, November 12, 11 a.m., at St. John's, 100 West Queens Way, Hampton, VA, 23669.  The service will be livestreamed at this link:  youtu.be/zdqOmI_yHLw.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. John's in Bill's memory.