William Hardee Mahoney

MAHONEY William Hardee Mahoney, born at home, 2343 Herschel St., on January 29, 1922 in Jacksonville, FL. to the late Haynes Richardson and Esther (Essie) Bessent Mahoney, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon March 22, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida. Bill (or Billy) was 83 years young in January. Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years Olive Fleming Mahoney; son William Hardee Mahoney Jr. and his partner Juan S. Vegega; son David Fleming Mahoney and his wife Judith Doyle Mahoney, grandchildren Katie, Caleb and Kylie; son Paul Bessent Mahoney; eldest brother Haynes (Tike) Richardson Mahoney Jr. of Yarmouth Port, MA; sister Eleanor Elder Mahoney; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was a lifetime member of the Riverside Presbyterian Church, beginning with the cradle roll, Stephens Minister, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Elder. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1939. He attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of the Florida Blue Key Honor Society, th e Kappa Sigma Social Fraternity and editor of the "Seminole" yearbook in his senior year. He graduated as a Bachelor of Engineering on May 24, 1943. He was a Naval Academy "90 day wonder", completing their engineering program and commissioned a Lieutenant jg. He served aboard the USS Escort Carrier Sargent Bay and participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Guadal canal. After a stint as a graduate student and teacher at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, he returned to Tallahassee to work for the Florida Road Department until 1952. Bill joined Reynolds, Smith & Hills as a Civil Engineer in 1952, where he worked for 37 years until his retirement on February 2, 1989. During his career he worked in one capacity or another on the 6 major bridges over the St. Johns River. His love for the city was demonstrated in the many infrastructure improvement projects he managed, his vision of modern transportation adequate to lead a growing Jacksonville into the 21st century, and the ma ny community related causes he supported. He remained active with civic organizations after his retirement, consulting on the People Mover among other engineering related projects. His interests and commitments included the Florida Yacht Club, the English Speaking Union, the Rotary of West Jacksonville, the Riverside Presbyterian Church Stephens Ministry and Meals on Wheels, and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, among others. Bill was a nature lover driven by his belief in the goodness of mankind, his awe at the beauty and majesty of the world and above all his faith in God. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Specialty Hospital of Jacksonville for their diligent and loving care during Bill's illness. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, March 25 , 2005 at the Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park St. with the Reverend Bob Smith officiating. Please send memorial contributions to either the Riverside Presbyterian Church Meals on Wheels Program, 849 Park St., J acksonville FL., 32204 or to the Rotary Club of West Jacksonville Community Centennial Project, 5620 Marathon Pkwy., Jacksonville, FL 32244. A private interment ceremony will be held at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com