Mr. Lawrence William “Bill” McDonald, age 81 of Blue Ridge, GA departed his earthly life Friday, September 8, 2017 to join the saints in heaven at the feet of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bill was born November 29, 1935 in Monroe, LA to the late Clyde Orland McDonald and the late Julia Belle Hales McDonald. A Deacon, Gideon and member of the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge, Bill was very active in politics as a member of the Republican Party and served as a Georgia State Committeeman. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and woodworking. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Hales McDonald.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, Pa and Great Pa. Survivors include loving wife of 59 years Mary Elizabeth Vickery McDonald; daughters: Julia Elizabeth McDonald (James “Mac”) Williams and Laura Inez McDonald; brother John Michael McDonald; three grandchildren: Callye, Sean and Patrick Williams, one great-grandson, James Williams and his “chosen daughter” Joy Rhodes.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1955. Petty Officer Second Class McDonald was designated a Tradevman (TD2). He instructed Naval Aviation students in aerial navigation at NAS Corpus Christi, TX on the very first Link simulator. He met and married his wife, Mary while stationed in Corpus Christi. In 1955, he transferred to the Naval Reserve until 1962. Bill was very proud of his Naval Service. It undoubtedly changed him into the man Mary fell in love with. His job helped to train the young men who would defend this country during the Cuban Missile crises and later during the Vietnam War.

Upon discharge from the Navy he attended Northeast University in Monroe, LA on the GI Bill while Mary taught school. Subsequently he was an owner of a grocery store in Dallas, TX while attending Arlington State College. Afterward he began working for Honeywell Inc. as a service technician. He was promoted into instrumentation sales eventually becoming a Branch Manager. While employed with Honeywell, Bill was appointed to the President’s Club. This was a prestigious honor as only a few people were selected each year to this club. His next employer was Westinghouse Instrumentation Service Company. This new position required a move to Atlanta, GA. Bill worked for Westinghouse directing the sales and engineering team responsible for nuclear power plant instrumentation and process controls. He retired from Westinghouse as a Managing Director in the spring of 1988. Shortly thereafter Bill and Mary relocated to the mountains of North Georgia where he designed and personally built their retirement home.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 15, 2017 at 11:30 am at the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge with Rev. Bob Richardson officiating with speakers, Chuck Sisson and Joy Rhodes. Music will be by pianist Debbie Jones and soloist Kristi Walker. Pallbearers are Chuck Sisson, Mike George, Steve Bailey, Cecil Anderson, Luke Travis, and Kenny Stewart. Honorary Pallbearers are the Deacons of the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gideons International, PO Box 1375, Blue Ridge GA 30513.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at <http://www.cochranfuneralhomes.com/>.