William L. McCarthy

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | William Leon McCarthy, 73, of 46th Avenue South, died Monday, April 17, 2006 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Born Oct. 7, 1932, in New Castle, Pa., he was the son of the late John J. and Lou A. Peterson McCarthy.

Mr. McCarthy was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and later retired from BellSouth after 35 years of service. He was a member of the King of Glory Lutheran Church in North Myrtle Beach, where he participated in the men's bible study and adult Sunday school. Mr. McCarthy previously was a member of Risen Christ Lutheran Church, where he was instrumental in building and improving the school.

He practiced good citizenship, was a proud member of the North Myrtle Beach Republican Club, and often worked for improvements in his Windy Hill neighborhood.

Mr. McCarthy was known to his family as a good husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by those who knew and appreciated his many talents. He was particularly pleased to be called by terms of endearment - Dad, U. B. or Uncle Bill, Pop Pop, Grand Pa - bestowed upon him by the many loved ones in his large Irish family.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Sister Judith McCarthy, Order of ''The Sisters of St. Joseph'' of Baden, Pa., and Mary Lou McCarthy.

Surviving are his wife, Ray Rachel Hedrick McCarthy of North Myrtle Beach; three sons, Michael William McCarthy and his wife, Cheryl, of Misawa, Japan, George Steven McCarthy of New York City, and James Morgan Hedrick Jr. and his wife, Patricia, of North Myrtle Beach; two daughters, Rachel Hedrick Stephens and her husband, John, of North Myrtle Beach, and J. Beth Hedrick of Tampa, Fla.; five grandchildren, Desire' Angel McCarthy Lester and her husband, Jeremy, Devon Rene' McCarthy, Bryan William McCarthy, Chapel Pauline Hedrick and Shelly Jean Hedrick; one great-grandchild, Bailey Ann Lester; and three brothers, Dr. John A. McCarthy and his wife, Betty, of Lighthouse Point, Fla., Richard S. McCarthy of Youngstown, Ohio and Charles H. McCarthy of San Antonio, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at King of Glory Lutheran Church with the Rev. Pamela Cook and the Rev. Hobby Outten officiating. Burial will follow in Southeastern Memorial Gardens directed by Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel.

Pall Bearers are Dan J. McCarthy, John J. McCarthy, Tim McCarthy, Gerald E. McDaniel, Jerry D. Ellis and Norman Aigner. Honorary pall bearers are members of the Tuesday morning Bible study.

The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at the funeral home.

Sign a guest book at www.goldfinchfuneral home.com or at MyrtleBeach Online.com.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 950 48th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or to King of Glory Lutheran Church, 805 11th Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.