William Earl McFarland

Born July 20, 1924 in Meadville, MS, he was the son of the late William R. McFarland and Winnifred Sullivan McFarland. He was also predeceased by his son and daughter-in law, Charles W. McFarland and Cynthia McFarland; three siblings, Eula C. McFarland, John W. McFarland, and Aileen McFarland Penton; and a son-in-law, Joseph Casey;

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Bernadette Ann McGinty McFarland; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Thomas and husband, Edward and Jane Margaret Casey; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

William was a veteran of WWII, serving with the US Coast Guard. He was a parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 am Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 1011 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403. Interment will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 6:00 pm Monday, January 4, 2016 at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice 1406 Physicians Dr, Wilmington, NC 28401