— The Navy Hymn Alan Elroy Witham, 88, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on October 31, 2025.

Alan Eloy Witham was born in Britton, South Dakota, on July 20, 1939, to Melvin “Arden” and Nellie “Irene” (Benzie) Witham. He grew up in Aberdeen, SD attending elementary and junior high schools until 1951 before the family moved to the Witham farm near Amberst, SD where he attended high school excelling in academics and bascketball. Upon graduation in 1955, he attended NSTC (now Northern State University) in Aberdeen and graduated with BS in eduction. Immediately following he was accepted into the Naval Officers Candidate progam in Newport, RI. In 1964 he married Bonnie Brown in Britton.

In 1950, the family moved to the Witham farm near Amherst, South Dakota, where Alan attended Amherst High School—the only boy in a graduating class of five—earning his diploma in 1955. That fall, he enrolled at Northern State University in Aberdeen and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. Over the years, Alan continued his education, earning three master’s degrees: in Strategy Management and Naval Operations from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island (1977); a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University (1980); and a Master of Arts in Urban Development from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma (1989).

Even before college, Alan dreamed of seeing the world. After meeting with Navy recruiters on campus, he began his journey in 1959 with his first-ever airplane flight—to Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

While home on leave, a local girl named Bonnie Sue Brown caught his eye and quickly won his heart. They were married on May 23, 1964, in Britton, South Dakota. Less than two weeks later, Alan was deployed to Vietnam.

After returning from his early assignments overseas, Alan and Bonnie settled for a time in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Alan was stationed at Pearl Harbor. In 1966, they welcomed their first daughter, Alison, a joyful milestone that brought warmth and family life into the rhythm of Navy service.

Alan served honorably in the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Commander during a distinguished 21-year career. Naval Service Highlights:

• 1960 – Assistant Communications Officer, USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)

• 1962 – Communications Watch Officer, NAVCOMUNIT, Seattle, WA

• 1964 – Coastal Advisor to the Vietnamese Junk Fleet, NAVADGRP, Vietnam

• 1966 – Operations Officer, USS Fletcher (DD-445), Pearl Harbor, HI

• 1968 – Executive Officer, USS Phillip (DD-445), Pearl Harbor, HI

• 1969 – Operations Officer, COMDESFLOT 5, Pearl Harbor, HI

• 1972 – Commanding Officer, USS Claude Jones (DE-1033), Pearl Harbor, HI

• 1974 – Commanding Officer, USS Richard S. Edwards (DD950), Pearl Harbor, HI

• 1976 – Naval War College, Newport, RI

• 1980 – Commanding Officer, Navy Reserve Center, Oklahoma City, OK Among his many Naval accolades, Alan was awarded a Bronze Star, The Navy Commendation Medal, and The Navy Achievement Medal.

In 1980, shortly before retiring from active duty, Alan and Bonnie celebrated the joyful and unexpected arrival of their second daughter, Kendall, who completed their family. Her birth marked the beginning of Alan’s transition from Navy life to a new chapter on land.

Following his Navy retirement, Alan embarked on a second career with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, where he continued serving his community with integrity and leadership.

Alan and Bonnie built their dream life in Oklahoma—settling on five peaceful acres with a pool. They were proud parents of daughters, Alison, of Edmond, OK and Kendall (Carl) Palme of San Antonio, TX and even prouder grandparents of Deven and Ian Chakraborty, and Orion and Wylie Palme. They shared nearly five decades together until Bonnie’s passing in 2011.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; his parents, Arden and Irene; his inlaws, Ken and Sarah Brown; his brothers David and Claire; his brothers-in-laws Kenny Brown and Bernard Hanse; his sisters-in-law Vicky Witham and Judy McDonald.

Surviving him are his daughters, his grandchildren, his sister Carol Hanse in Claremont, South Dakota; his sister-in-law Ann Witham of OKC and many nieces and nephews.

He will be laid to rest beside his beloved Bonnie at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Fair winds and following seas, Sailor.