William B. Trafton

November 14, 2018

William Bassett Trafton, 96, passed away at home Wednesday, November 14th in the presence of his loving family. Bill was a resident of Port Norfolk where he spent his boyhood years exploring and sailing the waters of the Elizabeth River and where he resided in his family home his entire life. He was the son of the late Robert Talbot Trafton and Mary Eaver Trafton and the widower of Mary Ferguson (Kaye) Trafton. He was also predeceased by his older brother Robert Thomas Trafton. Bill was a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church where he served as chairman of the ushers for over 30 years. He was a member the 1940 graduating class of Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech and was a graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Maritime Officers School at Fort Trumbull, Conn. and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprentice School. Bill saw service in the Atlantic, Pacific and Middle East war zones during World War II where he served as an Engineering Officer on various Liberty Ships. He retired from Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a General Foreman Inside Machinist after 40 years of service. He was a member of Moose Lodge 898, Southwark Hunt Club, The Walter Gardner Coffee Club, Portsmouth Area Civil War Roundtable, Sons of Confederate Veterans, NARF and the American Legion. He is survived by his two daughters Linda T. Summerhill, Donna T. James and husband John H. James; two grandsons Jon Christian James and wife Ashley, William Ryan James and wife Kharah; seven great grandchildren Caroline, Christian, Ava, Tyler, Lauren, Taylor and Sadie and a host of family and friends. A special thanks to Felicia and Marsha of Maryview Bon Secours Hospice. Memorial donations may be made to Bon Secours Hampton Roads Foundations (Maryview), P.O. Box 55012, Norfolk, Va. 23505 or the charity of your choice. Friends are invited to the funeral home to pay their respects to Mr. Trafton on Sunday from 12 noon to 3pm and on Monday from 10am to 4pm. The family will not be present during these times. All services will be private.