William Thomas McNeill

William passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024. William was born in Scotland County, North Carolina to Thomas J. and Irene McNeill. William attended and graduated from Huntington High School in Newport News, Virginia. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force to serve and protect his country, where he was a jet engine mechanic, which he did faithfully from June 1956 until his retirement on July 1, 1976, at Castle Air Force Base, in Atwater, California. During his service time, he served in the Vietnam War from 1970 until 1971. After retirement, William continued his service by participating with the Honor Guard through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) honoring his fellow fallen heroes where he led numerous flag details during military funerals. He also returned to school and completed his education at Merced Community College, in Merced, California.

William accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and dedicated his life to caring for others. He was also a voracious reader, subscribing to numerous local and national newspapers and keeping himself abreast of world events.

William was preceded in death by his wife, Freddie C. (Holmes) McNeill, his stepdaughter, Shirley Johnson, his stepsons, Sherman Johnson, Leartis Johnson and Fletcher Holmes as well as his parents, his brother, Robert McNeill, his sisters Yvonne Milo and Shirley Flemming.

He is survived by his stepdaughters, Doris Celestin (Alan), Emma Norfles, Bobbie Irvin, Alice Davis (Michael) and his stepson Albert Johnson (Paulette), his sisters, Christine Burley, Mazetta Bunting and Kathy McNeill, and a host of grandchildren nieces and nephews.