William Walter McRae III

Virginia Beach, Virginia - William (Bill) Walter McRae III, devoted husband, father and grandfather, was taken by God on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. He was surrounded by his family and their love for him at the time of his passing. Bill was born on January 27, 1943, in Portsmouth, VA to the late Illa Elizabeth Coburn and William Walter McRae Jr. He is also preceded in death by his grandmother, Nora Littlefield McRae, who had a strong impact on his upbringing and instilled an incredible work ethic, his stepfather, Robert L. Linton, his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Novadine Posey and Bruce Posey and his niece, Sharon Wagoner.

He spent his early formative years in Waco, Texas, returning to Virginia to attend Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, VA. After military school, he moved back to Norfolk, VA where he enrolled in Maury High School, later graduating from Granby High School and went on to attend Old Dominion University. While working as a soda jerk at Florence Pharmacy in Ocean View at the age of 18, he met his future wife, Emily "Jean" Benthall, who was 15 years old at the time. They were married for 58 years at the time of his passing.

Bill worked for his father's company, Tiffany Publishing Company, as a photographer and later joined his stepfather, Bob Linton, at his company, Robin Van and Storage. There he developed a passion for logistics. He learned every aspect of the moving and storage business and later ran the former Tanners Transfer and Storage of Norfolk, VA and the former Monroe Bekins of Hampton, VA. In 1984, he utilized his experience and tenacity to open his own moving and storage company, Bay Area Movers, Inc., with his wife, Jean, who mirrored his work ethic and drive. Together they built a successful company handling the international transport of military household goods. In 1988, they expanded the company by adding a port division handling the transport of military household goods shipping overseas between the Hampton Roads Ports and local moving companies. Bill was a planner and lived by his own personal motto, "Always play what if!", a trait he passed down to both of his daughters and advice that they hold dear to their hearts and practice daily. Although he retired in 2014, he was still a large part of the company returning for brief stints as needed or to offer advice. Part of what made him so successful is that he would never ask anyone to do anything he was not willing to do himself. If he walked through the warehouse and saw an area that needed to be swept, he grabbed a broom and began sweeping. After the Frances Scott Key bridge collapsed and ships were rerouted to Hampton Roads, unexpectantly tripling the company's shipment intake, this company's CEO hopped on a forklift to pitch in at the age of 81 working 8 to 12 hours a day in 90 to 100 degree temperatures.

Bill has been described as a character and could recall and tell a story like no other. He was fueled by the love for his family and his passions. An avid skier in his youth, he also enjoyed tennis and was quite the pool shark. He was a dedicated golfer, always striving to improve his game. Having a strong connection to the water, he owned various watercrafts throughout his life. This love for the water is something he shared with his granddaughter who he affectionately referred to as his "Princess". He enthusiastically watched college basketball invariably supporting Duke as well as pro football where he favored the Washington Redskins, as he unapologetically still referred to them. He loved playing cards, especially with family and friends and was an amazing chess player. It brought him tremendous joy teaching his grandson the game. He also enjoyed traveling and spent a significant amount of time in the Naples/Estero area of Florida where, in recent years, he enjoyed playing bocce ball with his wife and family members/friends, Cindy and Lowell Stoelting.

Bill had a heart of gold and was very generous. He loved all animals, once saving a baby duck that was stuck in his semi-frozen pool, as well as paying for the surgery of an employee's dog. He expected everyone to give 110% and had great sympathy for a hard worker that was just down on their luck or experiencing a setback helping them in any way he could to get them back on their feet. He had great respect for our military, police and fire departments and was known for picking up their tabs when he was out to eat.

Left to carry on his legacy and memory is his loving wife, Jean of Virginia Beach, VA., daughters, Robin Michelle Villers (Tom) and Kimberly Paige McRae both of Virginia Beach, VA, grandchildren Connor Thomas Villers and Jordan Taylor Villers both of Virginia Beach, VA, sister Jane McRae Hicks (Brad) of Fairfax, VA., nieces Cindy Stoelting (Lowell) of Westphalia, IN., Gail Stewart (John) of Terre Haute, IN, Marti DeMarco (Joey) of Chesapeake, VA. and nephews Larry Hicks (Kristen) of Lorton, VA and Sam Hicks (Rachel) of Chesapeake, VA as well as his beloved dog, Cooper and countless other family members.

A private Celebration of Life is to be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Virginia Beach SPCA or the American Cancer Society.