(A walk-thru viewing-with social distancing, will be held on Tuesday, June 16th from 5pm-7pm at Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary, Services on Wednesday at the Chapel of Anderson-Ragsdale on Wednesday will be by invitation of the family due to number of people allowed by City and State Mandates during the COVID period. Thank you for understanding)
On October 19, 1935, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Lucinda Hardy McGee and Arthur McGee lovingly welcomed their youngest son, Willie James into the world. Although Willie, affectionately known to his family as “Billy”, received an enormous amount of love and adoration from his parents, time seemed to pass too soon and as a child, his parents transitioned to eternity. The older McGee siblings embraced the African proverb ‘Oran a azu nwa’, which means “It takes a community or village to raise a child”, as they provided care for their parents’ young son with pride and joy He was in his youth when Willie James McGee (”Billy”) discovered his distinct ability to always leave a community/setting in a better state than when he first arrived. He was determined to show his brilliant engineering mindset: he astounded his siblings by his quick-witted enhancements to items once thought to be unusable. This guiding principle would be his signature imprint on the world throughout his lifetime. Believing his future was destined for higher heights than a farmer’s field worker’s life; Billy stood in the face of racial inequality and adversity to excel and challenge the status quo of social opportunities and sought to accomplish his dreams by walking off the farm field to hitch hike a ride to the next town.
As a homeless teenager, under the streetlight, he studied hard and “aced” the armed forces entrance exam, joined the United States Air Force, and married a beautiful young woman from Waco, Texas, Eddie Mae Dotson. Mr. and Mrs. W.J. McGee were blessed to have four children together during their marriage. As a celebrated Senior Master Sargent Willie “Mac” McGee and his family have resided in Montana, Hawaii, Oklahoma, New York, and El Cajon, to name a few. They celebrated their union for nearly half of a century of love, laughter, and dedicated service to the Lord before she was called to her heavenly home in 2000.
Mac’s legacy as the United States Air Force veteran, Airman of the Year, social advocate, voice for the underserved and marginalized populations, Founder/Executive Director of All Congregations Together (ACT), National faith-based leader/ Faith Chapel COGIC Church Administrator, and Director of Audiovisual Ministry, FAA-TRACON Administrator/Aeronautics/Engineer forerunner, Master of Business Administration graduate and astute businessman speak to his ability to serve his family and community in ways that stretch far beyond his 6’4” stature.
His vigor and valor as a father, including the special places of honor in the hearts of hundreds of people who simply know him as the suspender-wearing, monogrammed-dress-shirt, cool-under- jazz music-loving, confident and superbly intelligent pressure, servant-leader that exemplified standards of excellence will live on forever.
Mac McGee has imparted a generous sharing of love, support, Godly-wisdom, and unconditional love in all who mourn his passing but not his promotion into the waiting and loving arms of our Heavenly Father God. Those who are left to carry on his heritage are: Only son; Mr. LeRoy McGee and daughter- in- law Sherri McGee, grandchildren Natasha, Ashley,& LaRoy Jr. Daughter; Mrs. Cynthia McGee Burton and Son-in law Charles Burton (CB) grandsons Charles Jr, Kenneth, and Chasman, Daughter; Pastor Esther Anthony-Thomas, Son-in-Law, Pastor Wesley S. Thomas, and grand-daughters, Jervae Dionne Anthony & Eddie Rochelle Washington.Daughter; Mrs. Billi McGee Sauls; Son-in-law Tyrone Sauls, grandsons Tyrone Jr & Trenton, as well as his admired sister, Rose Marie and her extended family, and a host of great- grandchildren, God-children nieces, nephews and extended family and friends, all of whom affectionately called him “Dad McGee”, have experienced one of God’s chosen vessels while being about His Father’s business here on earth. His beautiful, loyal wife, loving parents, dedicated siblings all preceded him in death.
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