William Frederick Mcilrath

William (Bill) Frederick McIlrath, Sr., 74, of Rincon, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 26th, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born on January 5, 1943 in New Castle, PA, the youngest of six children born to Charles Wilson McIlrath and Irene Elizabeth (Pflugh) McIlrath. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Rev. Howard McIlrath and Earl McIlrath. He is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Kalajainen, Lois Nabors, and Boonie Ford Nables. Bill grew up in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and has attended the New Life Fellowship Church (of the C&MA) in Savannah for the last 45 years. He served in many capacities as a church leader including Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Governing Board Member. He also hosted many Sunday School picnics, swim parties, and hay rides always ensuring a good time for all who attended. He was a lifelong student of the Bible as well as World, American, Savannah, and Bethesda History.
Bill received his B.A. from Asbury University (formerly Asbury College) in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1967 and his M.Ed. from Eastern Kentucky University in 1971. He was employed by the public school system in Lexington, Kentucky as a teacher and Assistant Principal for 5 years. In 1972, he became the Assistant Director of the Bethesda Academy (formerly Bethesda Home for Boys) at which time he moved his growing family to Savannah. During his 36 years of service at Bethesda, he was responsible for oversight of Operations, Food Service, Maintenance, and the Bethesda Farm. He was known simply as "Mr. Mac" to boys and staff alike and he had an enduring reputation for being "firm but fair." He fervently believed in George Whitefield's original 3-fold mission statement for Bethesdsa's residents: "To teach them a love of God, a love for learning, and a strong work ethic." He had a strong faith in God and a love for people. His disarming sense of humor and reputation for "never meeting a stranger" allowed him to build rapport with children and adults of all ages and from diverse backgrounds. Though he knew and was respected by many personal and professional friends across Savannah and around the State of Georgia, he was always known to be a loyal, honest, and humble man with a willingness to respond to the needs of others at any time of the day or night.
After retirement, Bill and his wife, Sally, moved to Rincon, Georgia where they have lived happily for the last 9 years. In retirement, he continued to stay active while making many new friends across the Effingham Community. He also maintained ongoing relationships with many of his childhood and college friends, former students and fellow teachers, and hundreds of Bethesda Boys and staff members throughout his life. He was a serving (honorary) member of the Bethesda Alumni Association for over 35 years.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Sally Byler McIlrath and his 3 sons, William (Bill) F. McIlrath, Jr. and his wife, Beth (of Savannah), Phillip H. McIlrath and his wife, Seeney (of North Carolina), and Brian A. McIlrath and his wife, Alexis (of Rincon) as well as 9 grandchildren and 21 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bethesda Academy, Att: Dr. Michael Hughes, President, 9520 Ferguson Ave, Savannah, GA 31406 - in memory of "Mr. Mac".
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 29, from 5 until 7pm at Baker-McCullough Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 30 at 1pm in the Whitefield Chapel on the beautiful grounds of Bethesda Academy. Interment will follow at the Bonaventure Cemetery, Greenwich Section.