William Hampton Mcgee

William Hampton McGee of Hilton Head Island, SC, age 88 died on September 27, 2024.

William was a native of Cave Spring, GA. Growing up on the family farm there and being the only child of Emma Lou Hampton and William Otto McGee, his father became his favorite playmate and his best friend for life. On this farm he later built a cabin which was the site of many good times with family and friends.

Cedar Creek Baptist Church was a significant part of William’s youth. Generations of his family served as loyal members of the church, and he was “taken there on a pillow”. His maternal grandparents lived across Cedar Creek and many fond memories were built there.

William graduated from Cave Spring High School and moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia Institute of Technology. On the day he graduated, he left Atlanta for Parris Island to complete six months training in the Marine Corp followed by six years in the active reserve.

While in Atlanta he attended Jackson Hill Baptist Church. On a hay ride with the Jackson Hill youth group he met his future wife, Rose Evelyn Foxworthy. On September 6, 1959, they were married at Balerma Baptist Church in Sparta, GA. They were blessed with a daughter, Patti McGee, born on November 23, 1960. His professional years were spent at Lanier Management Company, distributors of dictating, and copying equipment.

This company expanded from a local to an international operation during his tenure. He was a faithful employee, working long hours and contributing significantly to the company.

In 1993, he answered a call for help from his daughter Patti. His first granddaughter, Molly, was three years old and Patti was expecting twins. He gladly relocated to Hilton Head Island, SC to be there to assist and to share in the lives of Molly and the twins, Maeve Catherine and Maureen Bridgid. He was the grandfather and grand uncle to nine little girls and his blessings were magnified when he welcomed a great grandson, McGee Shoemaker in the summer of 2020. He said he had waited 50 years for a boy.

He is survived by his wife, Rose McGee, daughter Patti MacDonald and son-in-law Scott MacDonald of Hilton Head Island, granddaughter Molly MacDonald (Matthew Shoemaker) of Bluffton and great grandsons McGee and Marshall Shoemaker, granddaughter Maeve Kammerer (Jon) of Salt Lake City, Utah, granddaughter Maureen MacDonald of Hardeeville and her daughter, his first great granddaughter, Adaline Rose. His extended family was a significant part of his life and he is survived by nephews and nieces who played a central role in his life. Jeffrey Foxworthy who was born on the day William left for Parris Island and became his “first baby”. Jeff married Pamela Gregg and their two daughters, Jordan and Jules (Brendan Corley) survived. Other survivors include Jennifer (Fred Parrot) and her daughter, Jamie Watts, nephew Jay (Rhonda) Foxworthy and his three daughters, Blake Foxworthy, Landyn Foxworthy and Sydney Ware (Colton). William was their beloved “Unke Wmm”. Their children grew close to his own in summers at Calloway Gardens. He is also survived by his sister- in-law Carole Holton, who shared these summers at Calloway and many years of family life. He was close to his Hampton family. Survivors include Nancy McCollum (Bob Claxton), Scott (Joy) McCollum, and Joe McCollum. He was predeceased by his aunt Ella McCollum, two other cousins, Donna Hampton Terry (James) and Linda Hampton Rawlins (John).

Memorial service will be held at the Cedar Creek Baptist Church on Saturday, October 26th at 11 am with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. He will be laid to rest at The Cave Spring Cemetery beside his parents, Otto and Emma Lou McGee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cedar Creek Baptist Church, 3219 Fosters Mill Road SW, Rome, GA 30161.