Donald McGill

Donald McGill passed away on September 10 at the age of 89. He was born in Cement, California on Feb. 07, 1918.
Growing up on a ranch near Oelrichs, SD, Don acquired a strong work ethic. In the late 1930s he learned to fly and became a charter pilot based at Pierre, SD. During WWII, Don McGill was drafted into the Army and served as Liaison Pilot and aircraft mechanic. During the Normandy invasion he repaired the aircraft used to evacuate the combat wounded. Later, Sgt. McGill was sent to a Belgium airfield to repair U.S. aircraft and quickly found himself with a rifle on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge, for which he was awarded a battle star.
In civilian life, Boeing and United Airlines employed Don McGill as an aircraft mechanic. He retired as flight line crew chief for United at Seattle. Don's skills and resourcefulness enabled him to build a single engine airplane from raw materials that is still in active use today.
Upon the passing of his wife, Joyce McGill, Don moved to Lummi Island to be near his daughter Debi. Don was easily recognized on the island by his small stature, flight jacket, cowboy hat, and boots. True to his past, Don enjoyed maintaining small aircraft and was always willing to assist others with troublesome autos.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, a sister Helen Miller, a half-sister Lois Duncan, and a half-brother Greg Roll. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Joyce Roth, his son Richard James McGill, and granddaughter Vanessa Rose Roth.
His memorial service will be held at 3:30 PM on Friday, September 14, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellingham. Interment with military honors follows Saturday, September 15 at Washington Memorial Cemetery, Seattle, WA.
In lie of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Disabled American Veterans
Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. You may share your thoughts and memories of Don McGill in the online memorial guest book at: www.molesfuneralhom.com.