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William McLean Obituary
Reverend William
Donald
May 15, 1936 - May 23, 2014
The son and grandson of Episcopal priests, Fr. McLean departed this life after a lengthy illness on May 23, 2014, in Sarasota, Florida. He was born in Camden, New Jersey and served parishes in the Dioceses of Chicago, Milwaukee and Southwest Florida. He was 78.
He was married to, and survived by , his wife, Leslie Maida Slater of Sarasota, Florida, his daughter, Judy (Conover) of Sarasota and two sons, William IV of Palatine, Illinois and Thomas of Tampa, Florida.
He earned his B.A. degree (cum laude) from Beloit College and his Master of Divinity degree (cum laude) from Scabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Ordained Deacon and Priest in 1961, Fr. McLean was Curate of Mediator, Chicago, Vicar of St Michael's, Racine, Wisconsin, Rector of Mediator, Chicago, Illinois, Rector of St. Michael's Barrington (Diocese of Chicago), Rector of St. Boniface, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida, Assistant at St. Wilfred's Sarasota and Vicar of Good Shepherd, LaBelle, Florida. He also served as Interim Rector and President of St. Mary's Parish and School, Tampa, Interim Rector of St. Thomas, St. Petersburg, Florida and, finally, as Assistant at All Angels by the Sea, Longboat Key, Florida. Father McLean was best known in the Dioceses of Chicago and Southwest Florida for his work with alcoholics and programs on stewardship education. Nearly 100 parishes and missions benefited from his innovative retreats having to do with Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve-Step program and designs for creative stewardship programs at the parish and missionary levels. For eight years of this life, Fr. McLean was also President and Director of R.A.C.A. (Recovered Alcoholic Clergy Association) made up of nearly 300 members and was one of the founding members of the National Coalition on Alcoholism. In later years, that organization became known as The Commission on Recovery in the Episcopal Church USA. He was President of the Recovery Commission for the Diocese of Southwest Florida.
Funeral Arrangements by Toale Brothers.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 27th at 10 am at St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key, Sarasota. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in the name of St. Boniface Episcopal Church.
An additional memorial service and interment will take place at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Barrington, Illinois at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William McLean
Gail Dazey Krupa
May 29, 2021
On the occasion of his 85th birthday, May 15, 2021, I am remembering my friend and sometime priest, Bill McLean, both with sadness for his absence from this world, and with joy for the breadth and creativity of his ministry as a priest and as a wounded healer. As a seminarian, Bill was our popular high school Sunday School teacher and youth group/retreat leader while Curate at Mediator in Chicago. After his ordination in 1961, which I attended, he became Father Bill but was no less accessible. During college he was there for me when I desperately needed his compassionate ear and professional counsel. About a decade later, as Rector at Mediator, he performed our wedding. Afterwards, we moved to Iowa and lost touch until my parents retired to Sarasota with my brother who told me Father McLean was at a church in the area. So we did meet again there and caught up, renewing our friendship. We discovered we now had a mutual interest in Jungian psychology and spiritual process. Bill was the first person of spiritual depth that I had ever known, and whom I credit with awakening my own spiritual searching. He was a saving grace in my life for whom I am very grateful. Also, he could make me laugh. I miss him and hold him close in my heart.
Gail Dazey Krupa
Iowa City, Iowa
BRENDA MOCCIA
June 23, 2014
ALL OUR LOVE GOES OUT TO LESLIE, JUDY, BILLY, TOM AND ALL OF THE REST OF THE FAMILY. HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED. IM SO BLESSED TO HAVE THIS FAMILY IN OUR LIVES. BILL IS ESPECIALLY THANKED BY MY FAMILY FOR HE REDID OUR VOWS IN FRONT OF MY FAMILYS AND FRIENDS THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE OUR ORIGINAL WEDDING!! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!!
June 1, 2014
Dear Leslie and Family, terry and I were so saddened to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ann and Terry Parker
Kuechmann Family
May 29, 2014
Dear Leslie and family, very sorry to hear of your loss. FR. McLean will always be close to our hearts.
May 28, 2014
DEAR LESLIE, SORRY TO HERE ABOUT BILL. HE WAS ALWAYS A GREAT GUY AND SHARED PART OF HIS LIFE WITH US WHEN HE ATTENDED BELOIT COLLEGE.MAY HE REST IN PEACE WHICH HE HAD PREACHED MOST OF HIS LIFE. SINCERELY, BUTCH & NANCY DIX
George and Susan McLean
May 26, 2014
Aunt Leslie, Judy, Bill and Tom our thoughts are with you at this time.Our distance has kept us apart over the years but Uncle Bill has always been part of our lives. He will be missed.
May 25, 2014
Good Shepherd LaBelle will always remember Fr Bill
This was posted on Good Shepherd facebook page by Thomas K. Boardman A wonderful man. He certainly was the right person at the right time for Good Shepherd LaBelle. I was privileged to serve as his Senior Warden. I have missed him since he retired and will miss him all the more, now. May he rest in peace
John Hollingsworth Senior Warden and Mary Hollingsworth ECW and Altar Guild
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