William McQuinn

1927 - 2016

William Charles McQuinn

Jackson

William Charles McQuinn passed away peacefully on Sunday October 16, 2016, at St. Catherine's Village, at age 89. He was born May 31, 1927 in Greenwood, Mississippi. In his early years he helped his father and grandfather in their small groceries, and as a child aspired to be a "road-grater man." He left high school early in response to the Navy's need to train doctors. He plowed through college and medical school at Tulane University, hitchhiking home to the Mississippi Delta to visit family on breaks. He was awarded his M.D. in 1949 at age 22. In 1946 he married his high school sweetheart, Martha Jane Moe, "Janie." He served in the Navy in Puerto Rico and Washington DC until he returned to Mississippi to practice medicine in Glendora, Mississippi. He soon recognized the prevalence of mental health problems and the lack of adequate treatments in that community. He entered University of Mississippi to obtain additional training in psychiatry. He used to say "I wanted to be a road-grater man, smoothing out roads, but instead I ended up smoothing out people's lives." He practiced Psychiatry in the Delta and in Jackson until his retirement in 1992. From retirement until 2014 he managed a number of small rental houses and an apartment building. In a major change from the life of a psychiatrist, he welcomed the opportunity to serve as landlord, maintenance man, groundskeeper, and financial advisor to tenants who wanted to become homeowners.

Bill was a charter member of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson in 1961, and he served the church over many years with his time and resources. He was a choir member, led giving campaigns, and served as a connection between the church and a number of outside ministries and humanitarian institutions. He served on the Board of a number of organizations, including Contact, Project Concern International, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, the Mississippi Methodist Children"s Home, and Hope House. He was the Director of Jackson"s Walk for Mankind from 1974 to 1992, raising awareness of primary healthcare needs in developing counties and generating funds for Project Concern International. He was instrumental in the development of Riverside Hospital, now Brentwood, the first private psychiatric hospital in Mississippi.

In addition to his professional and charitable efforts, Bill enjoyed reading, fishing, sailing, shell collecting at Pensacola Beach, using power tools, getting a good deal, walking his neighborhood, and hiking, including an excursion on the Appalachian Trail. He was an expert reader of the Cat in the Hat.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Eula McQuinn; his wife of 67 years, Janie; and his brother, Carl McQuinn, Jr. He is survived by four children (Neal McQuinn of Jackson, Carrye McQuinn Allen (Rob) of Madison, Chuck McQuinn (Kay Crampton) of Seattle, and Liza McQuinn Joffrion of Nashville); eight grandchildren (Jennifer Allen of Chattanooga; Michael Allen (Emily) of Orlando; Jonathan Allen of Jackson; Garland and Luke McQuinn of Seattle; Margaret Jane Joffrion, Mary Joffrion and Sarah Joffrion of Nashville) and two great grandchildren (Jackson and Will Allen of Orlando). His family is thankful for the gentle, strong, loving father that he was and his example of a life well-lived.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00pm Saturday October 22,2016 at Christ United Methodist Church. with visitation from 12:30pm till 2:00pm. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Bill's charities, Hope House of Hospitality, Mississippi Methodist Children's Home, or Project Concern International.