William Russell "Bill" McDonald III

1934 - 2014

William Russell "Bill" McDonald III, born July 7, 1934, in Hickory, went to his eternal home Saturday, May 10, 2014. He was the son of the late William Russell McDonald Jr. and Dr. Annie Laurie Brinkley McDonald Keyes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Lucille Wells McDonald and his Granny B.
Bill McDonald was a humble man of great faith, with a public servant's heart, who served God through countless organizations, including serving as mayor of Hickory for 20 years between 1981 and 2001.
Bill is survived by the love of his life and wife of 31 years, Susan Bridgeman McDonald, of the home; daughters, Carole Anne McDonald Klein and husband, Justin, of Mooresville, Molly Miller McDonald of Asheville; sons, William R. McDonald IV of Nevada, Todd S. McDonald of Hilton Head, S.C., and Brad B. McDonald of Hilton Head; granddaughter, Makenzie Anne Klein; grandsons, Aedan Russell Klein and Logan Mason Klein, both of Mooresville; nephews, Joseph "Joey" Johnson and Jason Johnson, both of Concord; mother-in-law, Peggy Bridgeman of Hickory; sister-in-law, Beth Bridgeman Mesimer of Concord; brother-in-law, Michael Bridgeman of Raleigh; aunt and uncle, Pat and Joe Logan, of Boone; great-nieces and -nephews; and many lifelong friends that he called family.
Bill was an Eagle Scout, leader for the Hickory Jaycees and North Carolina Jaycees, and a member of the Hickory Rotary Club. He received innumerable awards for his leadership over his lifetime, including two Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards, from two different North Carolina governors. Bill graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received his pharmacy degree, and was a pharmacist for more than 50 years. He was also a recipient of the Community Service Award from the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association.
Bill was an active member of Seaside Methodist Church in Sunset Beach, and served as a Stephen Minister. He grew up at First Presbyterian Church in Hickory, and later became a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory with his wife, Susan, where he served in many capacities, including serving as a Sunday School teacher for the youth.
The memorial service for Bill was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Corinth Reformed Church in Hickory with the Rev. Bob Thompson presiding. The Family asked friends attending the service to wear something colorful, and to remember that Carolina Blue was his favorite color.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund/City of Hickory, City of Hickory Parks and Recreation Department, P.O. Box 398, Hickory, NC 28603 or Camp Debbie Lou, 726 Lucky Run, Latta, SC 29565 or www.campdebbielou.com/make-a-donation.asp. Camp Debbie Lou is a camp for children and their families suffering from cancer.
A beachside memorial service will be held in Sunset Beach at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home & Crematory in Hickory is serving the McDonald family.