William Randolph McGilvary

1942 - 2017

MCGILVARY, William Randolph, William Randolph McGilvary (a.k.a. Mack or Bill) died 15 August 2017 in Marietta, Ga. at age 75. Born 2 June 1942 in Colonial Heights to Alexander Hunt McGilvary and Lily May Inge McGilvary, he played baseball as a youth, and graduated from Colonial Heights HS, where he was known by many as 'Gilly'.

After serving four years in the Air Force, he was discharged in 1967, and returned to the Petersburg area. He wed Liz Watkins in 1972, but they divorced after a relatively short marriage. Very bright, with a knack for electronics, Mack had a long career at the phone company in Richmond, retiring, then working with other independent businesses in the industry.

For many years he enjoyed bowling, collected road maps, and was a regular at Dishman's. Bill was also a lifelong lover of trains, train schedules and maps, riding trains, and model railroading. He was very active in the James River Division of the National Model Railroad Association, joining in 1976, and serving as an officer for many years. Bill received the Division's distinguished service award for his decades of contributions and generosity to the hobby. In 2013 he moved to Marietta, Ga. to be closer to family. A sweet man who loved visiting with relatives, he was a great brother and uncle, and is sorely missed.

William was preceded in death by his brother Raymond McGilvary, sister Doris, and nephew Kevin. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Monday 28 August at Blandford Chapel. There will be simultaneous services and burial at Blandford Cemetery for him, his sister Doris (McGilvary) Steiner and brother-in-law Colonel Harold Steiner (Ret. USAF), and nephew Kevin Carter. The family can be contacted at champy89@gmail.com.