William Doddridge McFarlane Jr. died Jan. 4, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Bill was born in Graham on Feb. 11, 1928, to W.D. Sr. and Alma McFarlane. He graduated from Graham High School in 1944 at the age of 16, attended Texas A&M University and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1949.
At the Academy, following his commissioning, he received his wings in June 1950 in Pensacola, Florida. His naval career included successive overseas deployments, first to the Korean conflict in 1953 aboard the U.S. Kearsarge where Bill flew more than 40 missions in the Grumman F2F aircraft over North Korea. Later in his career Bill deployed twice to the Mediterranean for duty aboard the aircraft carriers Saratoga and Essex for duty flying the Douglas A-4 attack aircraft.
After retiring from the Navy, Bill attained a law degree from The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., and practiced law in West Palm Beach, Fla. until his retirement. He spent his final years enjoying golf and gathering with his large extended family, and could be counted on to be present for family events from weddings and birthdays to sporting events wherever they occurred. Children of the McFarlane clan were always thrilled to receive his birthday gifts of crisp new bills in the amounts of their age.
He is survived by his son, William Ill, and daughter, Catharine; his siblings Mary Pitcock, Barbara Staton and Robert McFarlane; Washington, D.C.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as an extended loving family.
The service is scheduled for April 14 at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church and Park Lawn Cemetery, in Rockville, Maryland.