Fr. William Bartz

Father William J. Bartz, son of Father and Mrs. George Bartz, was born in Scranton, PA and raised in Akron, OH. He graduated from Hellenic College in 1975 with a BA and from Holy Cross School of Theology in 1978 with a Masters in Divinity.  Chaplain Bartz became a Navy Chaplain in May 1977 and a priest in March 1982. 

Father Bartz was an Assistant Priest at Saint Paul Church in North Royalton, OH and in 1984 went on active duty. His Navy commands were Naval Station Norfolk, USS Biddle CG 34, and USS Carl Vinson CVN 70.  His Marine Corps commands were in Camp Lejeune, NC; Okinawa, Japan; Quantico, VA; and Norfolk, VA, serving in a Battalion, Regiment, Group, Base, Division, and Force.  He was Pastor at the Orthodox Chapels at North Carolina, in Japan, and in Virginia. 

In June 2003, he received the Offikion of Protopresbyter.  In June 2005, Father Bartz graduated from the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, receiving a Masters in Strategic Studies.  During his last five years on active duty, Captain Bartz was the most senior Orthodox priest in the US military. 

He presently serves at the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit. 

Captain Bartz was awarded two Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and other unit awards.  The Navy Chaplain Corps selected him to be the 2010 recipient of the John H. Craven Award, a peer-nominated and peer-selected Award by Navy Captain Chaplains, recognizing his exemplary servant-leadership among Chaplains.     

Father Bartz is married to the former Emily V. Mamalis, daughter of Father and Mrs. James Mamalis.  They have three children, Joanna Nicolaides (Evan), Maria, and George.