William "Mac" McDonald

William Thurmond McDonald

Augusta, GA  –           William Thurmond McDonald, 82, loving husband of the late Marlene Virginia Hadden McDonald, entered into his eternal rest Saturday evening, May 6, 2017 at his residence.  Funeral services will be held at Reedy Creek Baptist Church at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday morning, May 10, 2017 with the Rev. John A. Jenkins officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Born to the late Evelyn Louise Wilson McDonald and the late Clyde McDonald, William—lovingly known as “Mac”, “W.T.”, “Bubba”, and “Bill” (just to name a few)—was a native of Augusta where he graduated high school before joining the Navy.  A patriot, he proudly and honorably served our country during the Korean Conflict. As a young boy in 1940, the family home burned which deeply affected him and was the driving force behind his choice of careers in his adult life. He was the Fire Chief at Fort Gordon, the Charter Chairman of the Jefferson County Fire Association, a retired Wrens Fire Fighter with the Wrens Fire Department, and a 20-year instructor at the Georgia Fire Academy.  In 1977, Mac started Emergency Equipment Services which he owned and operated until turning the business over to his son. He then owned and operated Mac’s Used Cars until his health decline.  Always an industrious, hard-worker, Mac loved his work and his life’s calling.  He served his Lord and Savior faithfully as a member of Reedy Creek Baptist Church—he loved his church home and his church family.  Mac’s greatest love was for his family, whom he loved unconditionally and was most content in their presence.  A story-teller with a dry wit and great sense of humor, he was a loyal, dependable friend.   A respected man of great character who not only talked the talk, but walked the walk, Mac served God, his family, his church, his community and his country whole-heartedly and with total commitment. His legacy lives on in all who had the privilege of knowing him—he will be greatly missed.

Mac was also preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Blackwell and Clyde McDonald. Survivors include his children, Alan Wayne McDonald (Peggy Brown), Barbara Denise McDonald Spivey (Jimmy) and Brian Keith McDonald; a brother, Edward V. Blackwell (Joann); eight grandchildren, Melanie, Sheri, Amanda, Lauren, Georgia, Marlene, C.J. and Amanda; seven great grandchildren, Madeline, Zachary, Moses, Brody, Katelyn, Ricardo and Natalie; nieces, nephews, his church family and many friends. Pallbearers will be Wayne Davis, William Frost, David Leonard, Paul Mason, Arturo Mata, and Leo Rubio.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Reedy Creek Cemetery Fund, 1128 Reedy Creek Church Rd, Stapleton GA 30823.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening, May 9, 2017.

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