Jim Henry McGhee

Jim Henry McGhee, 74, of Windsor passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Jim was born to the late James "Gene" and Alice Mae McWilliams on October 29, 1950, in Braggs, Alabama.
After completing his education at Central High School (Hayneville, Alabama), Jim moved to Birmingham, Alabama to find full-time employment but was only able to find odd jobs in various places. In December of 1968, an opportunity presented itself to Jim to leave Alabama and head up north to find a better life. Jim found a way to stowaway himself in the back of his Uncle Mack's station wagon as Uncle Mack and the family were departing Birmingham. Uncle Mack and the family had been attending his oldest son John McGhee's wedding and were headed back to Connecticut. Uncle Mack did not discover that Jim was back there until they were in Atlanta, Georgia. At that point there was no turning around. Upon arrival in Hartford, Connecticut, Jim worked with his Uncle Mack as a carpenter working on various projects around the Hartford area. Sometime in 1969, another opportunity presented itself and Jim took full advantage of it. With the help of his cousin Richard Hardy, Jim was employed as a machinist by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut. Jim worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for over 40 years and retired in 2015. Jim married Joyce Jackson in 1972, and to this union, one son was born, Tyrone McGhee. During his early years in Connecticut, Jim was very active participating in various bowling and softball leagues in the Hartford area. He also enjoyed traveling to Miami, Florida to visit his siblings, nieces and nephews. In 2010 an opportunity to know the Lord Jesus Christ presented itself and with his son Tyrone, he accepted Christ into his life and became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Hartford, Connecticut.
Jim was a hardworking man who enjoyed life and all the beautiful opportunities that life brought to him. He was a man who cared deeply for his family and friends. He was always willing to help, was dependable, and always kept a smile on his face.
Jim leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted companion Doris Patterson of Hartford, Connecticut, a loving son Tyrone McGhee and his wife Maria McGhee of Manchester, Connecticut, two loving sisters, Easter Vincent and Dorothy Daly (Orlando), two brothers: Arthur James McWilliams and Early McWilliams, nieces: Ana Daly, Kimberly Daly, Keanna Foy and Abyssinia Stevens, nephews: Gene Vincent and Jacques "Junior" Major all of Miami, Florida. He is survived by many relatives and friends to cherish his memories.
Jim was predeceased by his wife Joyce McGhee of 36 years; his father James "Gene" McWilliams; his mother Alice Mae McWilliams; his uncle Frank Thomas McGhee; and his aunt Mattie Lee McGhee; and his grandmother Adell "Goodie" McGhee.