Mac Arnold

William McCauley Arnold, known as Mac Arnold to his family and friends, passed away on June 23, 2025 at the age of 78. Mac was an accomplished lawyer, community leader, and family man. He deeply loved, and occasionally exasperated, his wife throughout their 45 years of marriage. He had a dry wit and loved telling Texas tall tales to his three children and his five grandchildren.
Mac was born on May 3, 1947 in Waco, Texas to Mary Rebecca Maxwell and Watson Caufield Arnold. He and his three brothers spent their childhood playing pranks on each other at the family ranch. Mac excelled academically, and after high school in 1965 he followed his best friend to Duke University, where he graduated in 1969 with a BA in political science. While many of the personal details of Mac's college life remain unknown due to a mutual secrecy pact with his friends and brothers, we do know that he worked odd jobs to pay for college, including stints as a security guard, campus librarian, European tour guide, and offshore oil rig worker.
Mac returned to Texas for law school, attending the University of Texas School of Law from 1969-1972. After graduating, Mac served as a Special Attorney and criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice's Strike Force Against Organized Crime. In 1975, Mac moved to Fairfax County, Virginia to serve in the County Attorney's Office; he commuted to work in a car he had painted like a leopard to hide the rust spots. While there, he started wooing his future wife Karen with country music concerts and motorcycle rides. They married on May 17, 1980 and lived in the Town of Clifton while he renovated their 1901 Carpenter Gothic home.
In 1978, Mac joined Cowles, Rinaldi, and Arnold Law Firm as a principle and lawyer for 17 years before moving in 1995 to McCandlish and Lillard, P.C. He specialized in construction law and estate planning, and became certified as a financial planner. Among other professional achievements, he was selected by Virginia Business Magazine as both a 'Super Lawyer' and among the 'Best Lawyers' in Virginia. He was also listed in 'Who's Who in America' and 'Who's Who in American Law.' He always provided sage legal counsel to his children, which usually included some variation of "it depends."
Mac was a dedicated community leader. He was elected to the Clifton Town Council and served as the Vice Chairman for several years; he also served as Chairman of the Planning Commission and helped establish Clifton as a historic district. He was a founding member of a poker and chili club, dubbed the Clifton Gentlemen's Club, where he served as the club's "Great Pepper" (aka President) and went by the nickname Waco Willie. The Gentlemen's Club became famous for selling chili at Clifton Day and various local festivals, donating the profits to establish two sports scholarships at George Mason University. The Gentlemen's Club also hosted the very first Virginia Chili Cookoff in 1982. As the Washington Post reported, "They called it a statewide competition. Seven people showed up." Mac won the grand prize two years in a row, which he insisted had nothing to do with knowing the judges. His victories made him eligible to compete in the International Chili Championship in Terlingua, Texas, where he swore he placed 11th (they only awarded prizes for the top ten). Mac was also active in the Fair Lakes Rotary Club, and served as President for several years. He and his wife received Clifton's Community Service Award in 2025 for their sustained contributions to the town.
Mac was serious about the law, serious about community service, but also serious about being present and involved with his family. He was an assistant coach for his children's soccer teams, a judge for their summer dive meets, and a chaperone for their high school's Guitar Ensemble trips to Disney World and Nashville. He attended every practice, game, meet, and concert. No family trip or vacation was typical - they were all memorable adventures.
Mac lived with Parkinson's Disease for 15 years and committed himself to healthy exercise to slow its progression. He maintained his trademark sense of humor and intellect throughout even the most difficult periods. As with all other areas of his life, Mac was a leader; as a Board Member of the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA), he advocated for better funding and programs for people affected by Parkinson's.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Mac on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 1:30pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church (5114 Twinbrook Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032). His family welcomes the submission of any memories, stories, and photos of Mac via the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home website. If desired, donations in Mac's honor can be made to PFNCA, INOVA Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center, or Lord of Life Lutheran Church.