William Campbell McLain Jr.

COLUMBIA - Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. William Campbell McLain, Jr., 94, died April 17, 2011, in Columbia, South Carolina. He was born in Columbia on March 1, 1917, to the late William Campbell McLain and Louise Stone McLain. Dr. McLain is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jeannie Anderson McLain; his sister, Julia McLain DuRant (Robert N.); and brother, Robert Sinquefield McLain; his four daughters and son and their spouses, Jeannie Rubin (Hyman, Jr.), Lucy Coleman (John), William Campbell McLain III, M.D. (Sandra), Emmie May (John), and Chappy Manning (Deas); ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Elise McLain Lane.

After graduating from Columbia High School, he received his bachelor's degree from Duke University and medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in 1942, then entered military service. He served with the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team in the New Guinea and Philippines Campaigns from 1943 to 1945 and participated in combat parachute jumps during these campaigns. Dr. McLain entered the South Carolina Army National Guard in June 1949, serving until he retired in 1977 from the position of State Surgeon. His awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars and one Arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Parachute Badge with Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, and South Carolina State Service Medal (25 years) and The Guardsman Retirement Medal.

He returned from World War II in 1945 and completed his residency in internal medicine before entering private practice. After practicing in Columbia for over 20 years, he and his wife moved to the SC coast where he continued to pursue his life-long love of golf and medicine. He practiced internal medicine briefly in Beaufort, SC, and worked with the South Carolina Regional Medical Program before working for approximately 20 years in emergency medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

While Dr. McLain was a true soldier whose life exemplified "Duty, Honor, Country," he also had an undying devotion to his wife and family. He was a great listener who possessed a keen wit and extraordinary intellect whose advice and company were widely sought. Dearly loved and admired by all his family and many friends, he will be greatly missed. There will be a visitation from 4:30pm-6:30pm Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the South Carolina Military Museum, 1 National Guard Road, Columbia, SC 29201, or the charity of your choice.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.