Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home
http://winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com
William Elliott McClain, III passed away on September 12, 2020. William "Bill" was born on September 15, 1943 to the late William E. McClain, Jr. and Ramona L. McClain in Columbia, Missouri. Bill is survived by his brothers: Edd McClain (Heidi) of Big Canoe, GA, Gary McClain (Susan) of Maumelle, AR, Jon McClain of Beverly, MA, and Andrew McClain of Ellicott City, MD, plus many nieces and nephews.
Bill had a very full life. He had many friends, enjoyed many hobbies and filled his time with many organizations. He considered Christine Luff his adopted daughter and considered her children as his grandchildren.
Bill grew up in Columbia, MO, graduated from Hickman High School and attended the University of Missouri before he joined the US Navy. He served on the USS George Washington Carver nuclear submarine as a missile technician from 1962-1969. He was very proud of the silver dolphin pin that he received while working on this submarine. After serving, Bill went to work for the IBM Corporation and retired after 25 years at which time he started his own personal computer consulting business. In 2010, he retired from this successful endeavor.
Bill married the love of his life, Suzanne Gortner in 1971 and they enjoyed 45 years together in Wallingford, CT and Acworth, GA until her passing in 2016. Although Bill missed Sue every single day, he continued to meet with his coffee group, swim group and even built his own plane! Bill was passionate about flying having started in high school where he pumped gas at the Columbia Municipal Airport to pay for his flying lessons. He soloed at 15, before he had his driver's license. Recently Bill met with a virtual flying group where he developed flying plans for the group to fly each week.
Bill enjoyed making people smile and always had a good joke or story ready to share. He had a great sense of humor and was also humble. Bill always stayed very organized and busy in all aspects of his life.
A celebration of life for Bill McClain will be held on October 8, 2020 at 12:30pm in the afternoon, at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home. Friends are welcome one hour before the service to share stories and fellowship over hors d'oeuvres. He will be laid to rest with his late wife Susan, at 3:00pm at Georgia National Cemetery. Please leave condolences and share fond memories online at www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com
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