William D. McCann

William "Bill" David McCann, 80, of Wilmington, died Monday, June 24, 2013, at home. Bill was born September 2, 1932 in San Francisco, CA, son of the late John W. McCann and Audrey Player McCann. His wife, Jane McCann, preceded him in death. He attended boarding school in Canada and Switzerland, attended Sewanee University and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. He proudly served our country in the US Navy as Operations Officer on the USS John A. Bole. He enjoyed world travel and was fluent in the French language. Bill was a master of many crafts particularly woodworking. His love of the outdoors included sailing and fishing, as well as being a world-class skier. Bill retired after 34 years of devoted service as General Manager of Purissima Hills Water District in California. He served as past President of Peninsula Water Works Association and was Treasurer, San Francisco Bay Area Water Users Association for 11 years. In 1974, with selfless heroism, he rescued and saved the life of a fellow worker who was trapped underwater in an excavation ditch. He freed the man, pulled him out, and administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until breathing was resumed. For his heroic actions he received the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit (highest award given by the Red Cross) signed by then U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. He is survived by three children, William D. McCann, Jr. and wife, Stephanie, of Durham, NC, Lauren Wingate-White of Monterey, CA, and Brian McCann and husband, Tom Costales, of Los Gatos, CA; three grandchildren, Melissa McCann of Irvine, CA, John McCann of Durham, NC, and Ryan Hall of Monterey, CA; sister, Joan Beck of Golden Valley, AZ; niece, Audrey McCann of Sebastopol, CA; and nephew, Trey Longmire of Reno, NV. Bill was member of St. James Episcopal Church. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made by mail to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or online at www.alz.org