LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. (WJAR) -- J. William Middendorf, the former Naval Secretary and Ambassador to the European Union, passed away Friday at the age of 101.
Middendorf, who lived in Little Compton for over 70 years, served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946, and also had a long career of political service dating back to the Nixon administration.
He began his political career as the Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1969 to 1973, before ascending to the rank of Secretary of the Navy from 1974 to 1977.
Middendorf later served as Ambassador to the European Union from 1985 to 1987.
NBC 10 spoke with Middendorf back in January, profiling his passion for writing music.