McCORMICK, WILLIAM (BILL, MAC, BILL MAC) MERRILL
88, of Warwick, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
Born and raised on the East Side of Providence, RI, Bill was the son of the late Katharine (Kay) Merrill McCormick and William Best McCormick. Bill is survived by his sister Martha McCormick Hesse of Hopkinton, MA, his nephew Stephen Hesse of Tokyo, Japan, his niece Kim Hesse of Hopkinton, MA, his great nephews, Kye Hesse and Tai Martire, and his great niece Kate Martire. His family extends their deepest appreciation to two of Bill's closest friends, Paul Brookes and Brian Lucier, for their steadfast love and support.
Bill was a graduate of the Moses Brown School, Amherst College (Class of 1950) and Wharton Business School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and Naval Reserve, retiring as a Commander after twenty years of service. Later in life he earned two additional Masters degrees, one in counseling and one in religious education.
Bill devoted his career to business, was employed by several companies in Rhode Island, including Brown and Sharpe and A.T. Cross Company, and taught at Johnson & Whales University. Throughout his life, Bill was a dear friend, mentor and pastoral counselor to many people, guiding them in career choices, life decisions and sharing in their spiritual journeys. He also served as a volunteer chaplain at Kent and Miriam Hospitals for over fifteen years, offering comfort to thousands of patients.
With great wit, wisdom, a phenomenal memory, and a love of English, Latin and Yiddish turns of phrase, he entertained and supported all who were fortunate to know and love him. In addition, Bill possessed a passion for photography and vintage Porsches.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 99 Pierce Street, East Greenwich, RI. Burial will follow at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI. Arrangements entrusted to THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org.

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Published by The Providence Journal on Jan. 9, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William McCORMICK

Sponsored by Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home - Warwick.

6 Entries

Brad Bosd

January 13, 2024

Mac Mc Cormick will always be in my memory. We loved the Navy, Barbershop Quartet singing and were room mates for many years. He also was a superb employee at the A.T. Cross Company, modernizing us into an IBM Computer System. Most importantly, Mac was a fun and loyal friend!!

Bradford Boss

January 21, 2021

How much can I add about remembering my Special friend, for a few years as a “Roomie” in Rhode Island apartments, and fellow Patriot and Officer in the US Navy.
Mac loved his Country, Amherst, music (especially Barber Shop singing), Drag Racing at Charlestown, Special friendships, and particularly the Navy.
He served active duty after graduating from Navy OCS (class #4 as I recall) and stayed in the Reserve for 20 years. I know he became a full Commander and possibly Captain with full “Scrambled Eggs “ on his visor.
He was terrific working at A. T. Cross Co. and started us into Computers.
Always a loyal and wonderful friend!
And always remembered at least by me!

Bradford Boss

January 6, 2020

Dating back to 1957, and an officer in the USNavy, Ibwas stationed for my last tour of duty in Newport. Through friends, I ended up as one of three Navy Officers living at 29 Barnes St. in Providence, R.I.
One of those three was Mac McCormick. The other Dave McLean.
We had a blast and after Dave got out of the Navy and moved, another ex Naval Officer, John Quinn, moved in. Eventually we were all Civilians, but in the Resetve as part of our contract.
Mac continued on for at least his 20 years and asI recall, eventually was promoted to Captain.
But thats only part of the story, he went on to Wharton and achieved his MBA.
He spent weekends watching Drag Strip racing at the Charlestown, RI Drag Strip track (this was originally a Navy Air Strip where President Bush (41) trained.
We all had a love of Barbershop Quartet singing, especially The Buffalo Bills who starred in The Music Man. He as like myself also loved the Dave Bruebeck Quartet.
Later settling in Edgewood, RI, he spent many years as a greater at The Church of the Transfiguration.
Because of our friendship and his business prowess, after Wharton, I was honored to hire him at the AT Cross Company. He did a terrific job in transforming our record keeping, order management, and financial information to an IBM mechanized accounting system. At that time, it was a monumental undertaking! Mac did it superbly.
He was a superb and loyal friend and we shared so many years our love of the Navy, Music, Cars and Racing, our Families, Friends, and Cute and Attractive Ladies.
While he never married, he thoroughly enjoyed their company and they his.
MAC was a friend for over 60 years and their was never a cross word between us. Our only problem in the early post active duty military years was how to survive financially in a third floor apartment while spending $15.00 per week each of us for food. It sure wasnt easy and thank goodness at least for maybe one good meal a relative felt sorry for us and invited us to dinner!
Mac, God Bless You and Our Memories!
Brad Boss

January 11, 2018

As a friend and Navy buddy for years, room mate for 5, I can only say a life well lived, enjoyed, and given to so many. He loved music, especially Barber Shop singing and fast cars st The Charlestown Drag Strip.He started our computer system at A. T. Cross Company and was an usher at my wedding in 1964zAs well, he was a stalwart parishioner at the Church of Transfiguration in Edgewood, RI.Like many of us Older Folks, he so appreciated the sacrifices of those in the Military and that Brotherhood..I am truly sorry to be in Florida and unable to attend his service.It is also somewhat ironic that he is being buried st Swan Point with its address at 585 Blackstobe Ave. For all so many years, his Black Chevy Station Wagon and succeeding Cars had the license plate number: 585. He was a legend in his time and I will always remember the years of fun and comradely enjoyed together.With honour, respect, and a final salute!!Brad Boss

E.S. Sawyer

January 10, 2018

Mac was the College Kid with the cool car when I was a neighborhood kid. He always had time for us, and we got to be great friends, and co-drove many SCCA, Narragansett SCC, and PCA rallies together. A good friend!

January 8, 2018

My condolences to your family during this difficult time. May the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 comfort your family.

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