On August 9th, 1931 William Cunningham Manes was welcomed into the world by his parents William Clifford Manes and Clara Mildred Cunningham Manes as well as his big sister Vera. Unfortunately, the family's happiness was short-lived, since Clara passed away when little Bill was only 2 years old. He later told stories of how he struggled with relationships at home as a child often running away, getting into trouble, and definitely not setting a good example for his many younger half brothers and sisters who joined the family after his father remarried. Eventually, his Aunt Helen, who was a Catholic nun, took him under her wing and ensured he was enrolled in an excellent school for boys. It was there that Bill became a devout Catholic himself and upon finishing his education even studied for the priesthood before finding his true calling in the US Navy.

As a young seaman, Bill impressed the officers he served under and excelled at all his assignments. He was encouraged to take the Officer’s Examination, and when he scored very highly, he was given the opportunity to attend college through the ROTC program, after which he would become a Naval Officer. Bill chose Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, His college roommate, Dick Newsome, often took Bill home to spend time with his family in Southern Illinois. Dick’s older sister, Bonnie, first caught his eye, but it was Dick’s little sister Margaret who won his heart. The two were married in 1956 after Ensign Bill Manes graduated from Northwestern.

The young couple moved frequently as military families do, and as they moved, their family grew. Glynette was born in Rhode Island in 1958. After a brief time in Florida, Bill Jr. was born in Virginia in 1959. Back in Rhode Island, Renée was born in 1960. Bill continued to rise through the ranks while also advancing his education at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. When the family moved to Charleston, South Carolina, he served as Executive Officer on a Destroyer in his rank of Lieutenant Commander. During one of his stations at the Pentagon, their last child, Michelle, was born in 1970.

Bill saw active duty several times. He was significantly involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. In 1968, he was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Then, he was given command of the USS Hepburn, which was deployed to the gunnery line off the coast of North Vietnam and involved in combat operations. There were many challenges for the Captain of a ship in time of war, but Bill has said he was extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to serve in that capacity. Unfortunately, his next tour of duty was much less to his liking as he was assigned as the Assistant Professor of Naval Affairs at the Army Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After that assignment, he chose to retire from the Navy, but he definitely was not ready to stop working.

The family settled in Fountain Valley, California and the older children in high school, Bill began to look into higher education opportunities in the area and soon found a second career in administration at the Center for Public Policy at California State University at Long Beach. He continued working there for 20 years in various capacities including as Assistant to the Dean of the College of Engineering and Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, where he worked directly for the President of the University.

During this time, Bill also began to dive into the developing computer and tech sciences. He bought a Pong game in the 1970s, when such games were a new concept and insisted that his kids play it since this was the wave of the future. He easily learned to use Word Perfect and various other computer programs as they became available and was able to keep pace and even teach younger staff at CSULB how to use the tech resources that were being developed and deployed. His interest in and skills with computers continued throughout his life.

Unfortunately, the stresses of military life and long periods of separation had taken a toll on the marriage, and Bill and Marge divorced in 1989. When the family home was sold, Bill moved to Garden Grove thinking he would settle in for a life alone. However, he soon found love again with Patty Connolly, who helped him reconnect with his adult children and grandchildren, bringing a new level of involvement and support to those relationships.

Bill enjoyed giving generous birthday and Christmas gifts to each of the grandchildren. With his emphasis on the value of education, he purchased a computer and other school supplies for those who were homeschooling and was proud to take grandson Dylan to his first day of kindergarten. He often enjoyed attending Dylan's sports games. He paid for music lessons for some of the grandchildren and even traveled with grandson Tim to piano performances and competitions. He enjoyed outings to various Southern California attractions when his children and grandchildren came to visit the new home he and Patty shared in Dana Point.

A great tragedy struck when Patty died quite unexpectedly. Bill was devastated and spent time traveling alone as he tried to come to grips with his loss. He continued to work as only someone with the discipline of military training could do in such circumstances, and eventually found himself ready to move on and seek the companionship of a wife again. Always one to embrace new technology, he turned to an internet site hoping to connect with someone and began “chatting” with Kathryn Thornton. They met for the first time at a VFW function and soon decided that this relationship was meant to be.

In 1999, Bill and Kathy were married at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point. At last Bill and Kathy were both retired and began enjoying a life of travel visiting exotic locations like Africa, China, and Europe where Bill especially enjoyed his time in France. They were able to take several cruises as well, and of course returned home to enjoy time with family and friends between trips.

Not content to simply sit out his retirement, Bill chose to remain involved in a number of groups supporting veterans. He worked on a committee for the governor of California addressing concerns related to Veterans Homes. He also served in many capacities including as President of The Retired Officers' Association(now the Military Officers Association of America). His work with TROA provided many opportunities for travel and connections including meeting with the senior President Bush.

Bill and Kathy were both involved with the Dana Point VFW Post which Bill had been instrumental in establishing. He remained involved for 26 years and was still serving as Post Quartermaster well into his 90s supporting advocacy and fundraising for the group.

As time finally began to take its toll, Bill and Kathy traded their lovely condo in Dana Point for a beautiful apartment at MorningStar Senior Living where Bill entered hospice care in March of 2026. He passed away at home on May 10th, 2026 with his wife Kathy and other family members present to help care for him.

Bill’s siblings include: Vera Manes Zammito, deceased, Shirley Manes Sutton, deceased, Michael Manes, deceased, Melvin Manes, deceased, Sally Manes Butler, Sandra Manes DePew, deceased, Charles Manes, deceased, Daniel Manes, Judy Manes Harmon, Tari Manes Alcorn.

Bill’s children and step-children: Glynette (Lyn) Carradine, Bill Manes Jr., Renee Manes, Michelle Manes Cheryl Roberts, and Cindy Walkers

Bill’s grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Sarah Jackman, Timothy Carradine, Samuel and Amelia Manes, Dylan Routh, Stephanie Carradine, Joseph Carradine, Susanna (Suzie) Muir, Judah Carradine, Alexi Roberts, Chase Roberts

Bill’s great-grandchildren: Ti’anna Carradine, Ethan Carradine, Amelia (Axel) Carradine, William Routh, Lucas Routh, Tessa McRae, Willa McRae, Nora McRae, Aria Jackman-Stout