William "Bill" Russell McClain

He was born in Calhoun, GA, on September 11, 1940, to Levie R. McClain and Etta Lee Vail (later Smith).

Bill grew up in a military family, living in several places across the U.S. and abroad.  He spent a couple of school years in a boarding school for American dependents in Kaiserslautern, Germany.  His family put down roots in Enterprise, AL where he graduated from Enterprise High School in the late 50’s.  He was drafted into the Army in 1961, following in his stepfather’s footsteps and was stationed in places including the Azores and El Paso, TX; being honorably discharged in 1966.  Finding his way to Wilmington, NC he worked a brief period for Mobile Chemical Co. and then for several years with General Electric´s Nuclear Fuels Division.  In the early 1980´s one could say he finally “grew up”, leaving General Electric to obtain a Bachelor´s of Science from UNCW in 1984.  He soon moved to Athens, GA and in 1987 obtained his Master’s in Geology from UGA all the while becoming a huge, lifelong, Bulldog football fan.  He would talk college football to anyone with an interest and was always excited to meet other UGA alumni. After obtaining his Master’s he remained in the Athens area, discovered his love for teaching, and taught Geology at his alma mater until he retired in the early 2000’s.  His favorite part of teaching was taking Honors Program students, yearly during the summer semester, throughout the west to national parks and landmarks. There they would camp and have classes on different subjects including the local geology.  His illness brought him back to Wilmington in May, with his beloved cat Samantha, to be with family.

Survivors include his daughter, Shirley McClain Cartrette and husband Kevin of Wilmington, NC; granddaughter, Jenna Cartrette and fiancé Christain McDonald both of Wilmington, NC; grandson, Bryce Cartrette and wife Kristina of San Diego, CA; sisters, Barbara Travis of Panama City, FL and June McClain of Elberton, Ga; brother, Ken Smith and wife Susan of Enterprise, AL; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm, Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Andrews Market Street Chapel, 1617 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Renee Beccue of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for coming into the home and quickly getting him moved to the Care Center.  Special thanks also goes to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center´s nurses and staff who took such good care of him and his family during his short stay.