William Barnett, O.D. - Obituary

r. William “Bill” Barnett passed away at his home in Annapolis on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Born on October 5, 1933 in Baltimore to the late Levi Armstrong and Helen Stokes Barnett, Bill was a graduate of Baltimore’s City College High School where he played soccer. In 1955, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science from Washington College in Chestertown where he was an All-American lacrosse defenseman and a member of the 1954 national championship lacrosse team. Bill earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and went on to serve as a Captain in the Army’s First Cavalry Division at Fort Dix, and Fort Sam Houston, and in Korea with the 15th Medical Battalion. Bill married Anne Funkey in 1962. The couple and their four children settled in Annapolis and were members of St. Mary’s parish and the Annapolis Yacht Club. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and optometrist. Bill cared for patients at his optometric practices in Edgewater and Bowie until his 80th birthday. He regularly enjoyed reading, Bible study, handball, tennis, golf, and sailing; and he continued playing, coaching, and supporting the game of lacrosse for many years. Bill is survived by his wife Anne Barnett; four children, Loren, William, Michele, and John; daughter-in-law Merle and five grandchildren, Helen, Sydney, Tyler, Jacqueline, and Bryce. Friends are invited to celebrate Bill's life from 2:00 to 5:00pm on Sunday, November 29 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Annapolis. Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Washington College Sho’men Club, Department of Catholic Church Athletics, Washington College, 300 Washington Ave., Chestertown, MD 21620.