Capt. George F. Lisle

Captain George Frenger Lisle, USN (Ret.)75, Submariner, of Headquarters Island, Charleston, SC, took his last cruise when he succumbed to cancer on Friday, November 6, 2009, after many years of resisting the disease. He was the beloved husband of the former Carolyn Powell Herndon of Walterboro, SC, for 15 years. Captain Lisle was born on October 26, 1934, in Schenectady, NY, to Hampton Halley Lisle, Jr. and Laura Louise Frenger Lisle, formerly of Lexington, KY, and Las Cruses, NM. He graduated from Howe Military School in Indiana and attended the University of New Mexico before entering and graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1958. Upon graduation, he married the former Barbara J. Banks of Richmond, VA. A captain at the time of his retirement, George spent his naval career in progressively more responsible positions. After an initial tour on a destroyer, he entered the submarine service (his pride and joy), served on four submarines which were conventional and nuclear, and completed 17 Polaris/Poseidon deterrent patrols. His missions helped deter the Soviet Union from aggression and eventually led to the Soviet collapse in the early 1980's. These multiple warheads, accompanied by the unknown locations of the submarines, baffled the Soviets and caused them to desist from their normal military efforts. George culminated his submarine duty as Commanding Officer of the USS Von Steuben (SSBN 632), during which time he was designated a Proven Subspecialist in Ship Engineering. He next served in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and was appointed as Representative to the Standing Consultative Commission, which was responsible for issues concerning arms control agreements with the Soviets. Following an assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff for Mine Countermeasures at the Mine Warfare command, George's final assignment was as Inspector General for the Charleston Naval Base, from which he retired in 1988 after 30 years of active military service. Captain Lisle's military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, the National Defense Services Medal, and other service ribbons. Following his naval retirement in 1988, George was a founding member of the Charleston Submarine Base Veterans Association, serving as treasurer for many years. At Headquarters Island, he served as chairman of the ARB and president of the POA board. As a member of the Charleston Yacht Club, he taught his children to sail and was very proud of their winning finishes. He was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry as Junior Warden and cemetery chairman. He also served on the Board of Trustees at Bishop Gadsden. George maintained his professional and social connections until his demise. His life was about work and service to others and he did such without thought of praise or reward. His country, community, church, and other organizations are all better for his service. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn; two sons, Eugene Frenger Lisle of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Charles Franklin Lisle (Dawn) of Summerville, SC; a daughter, Claire Lisle Smith (Scott) of Charleston, SC; a stepson, Chris Hiott (Ellen) of Edisto Island, SC; seven grandchildren, Heather Lisle, Ashley Lisle, Leighann Lisle, Timothy Smith, Benjamin Smith, Brandon Hiott, and Bryce Hiott; two brothers, Hampton Halley Lisle III (Betty) of Gambrills, MD, and Dr. Frank C. Lisle (Pam) of Albuquerque, NM; a sister, Mary Dan Stuedli (Mark) of Albuquerque, NM; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Mary Lee Wyndham of Greenwood, SC; a stepfather, Col. Harold B. Woods, (USAF Ret.); an endearing cousin, Margaret Lisle Payne (Pegsie) of Highlands, NC; a special friend, Roger W. Mehle of Washington, DC; and many special nieces and nephews. The relatives and friends of Capt. and Mrs. George F. Lisle are invited to attend his Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Monday, November 9, 2009, at St. James Episcopal Church. Interment, Churchyard Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. this Sunday afternoon between 3:00 and 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 1872 Camp Rd, Charleston, SC 29412.