OBITUARY William Ford Macatee May 30, 1923 – September 18, 2018 William Ford Macatee, Sr. May 31, 1923 – September 18, 2018 William Ford Macatee, Sr passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 18, 2018. He went to Heaven four months after his 95th birthday and a day after watching his beloved Washington Redskins play one last time. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend to many over his long lifetime and will be dearly missed.
Bill was born on May 31, 1923 in Vancouver WA to Edward V.M. Macatee and Esther B. Macatee, the second of three boys. Raised in a military family, Bill traveled and lived all over the world. At the advanced age of three, Bill joined his father in discovering a love for the game of golf.
He was a lifelong, accomplished player, traveling around the world to pursue his passion in places as varied as the British Isles, El Paso Country Club and the Augusta National Golf Club. At the age of 20, Bill followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military where he dutifully and courageously served in the Army for two years during War II. Bill’s service included a position in the the funeral Honor Guard for General George Patton.
After leaving the US Army in 1945, Bill attended college at the University of Missouri. Bill focused his studies in the university’s esteemed Journalism program, earning his BA degree in Journalism, in 1949. That same year, Bill decided to re-enlist in the military as a career and early on distinguished himself as a US Army Paratrooper, seeing time overseas during the Korean Conflict in the 1950s.
During this period, Bill married and started a family with his first wife, Ann. They eventually had three children he adored, Bill Macatee (Sonya); Rebecca Rozell (Don); and Elizabeth Foley (Michael). As Bill continued his career in the military, the family was stationed everywhere from Germany, to the East Coast and Southwest of the US.
In 1969, Bill retired from the military as a Lt Col, settling in El Paso, TX, where Bill continued to raise his family, and started a second career in real estate. In 1984, Bill met the love of his life, Jan. He was married to Jan Macatee for 34 years and together they shared an amazing love story.
Bill and Jan traveled the world, sharing in many adventures together. Bill loved golf, seeing the world, having adventures, playing card games and spending time with his children, with whom he enjoyed many family vacations together. Bill’s family grew to include his beautiful grandchildren, Caitlin Macatee and Dylan Foley; his dogs; his friends; and his soulmate, Jan.
It’s worth noting that there was no greater football fan, than Bill, passionately following his beloved Washington Redskins, for most of his life, celebrating wins and suffering losses, but enjoying every moment, as a die-hard fan. Preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Ned and Charlie Macatee, Bill’s family also is survived by his stepchildren Bill Follett (Sheila) and Deb Follett, and his grand-stepchildren, Cinco and Lili Follett, as well as beloved nieces and nephews. The family also finds comfort that, Bill has been met at the Rainbow Bridge by his cherished, late dogs.
And, that his sweet wife Jan will now be protected by his beloved, surviving four-legged companions, JB and Will. We love you, Dad/Bill – fly free and in peace. Bills’ s Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Clement Church in McKee Chapel on Monday, 9/24/18, at 2:00 pm, with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Church of St. Clement 810 N. Campbell St. El Paso, TX 79902 915 -533-4915 www. stclements.com or Animal Rescue League of El Paso 7526 La Junta Canutillo, TX 79835 915-533-877-5002 www.
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