William "Bill" McCauley

Sep 11, 1939 — Feb 20, 2022
The family of William "Bill" Thomas
McCauley proudly announce that his greatest desire is fulfilled: he has
finished his time on this earth, and he is now in his eternal Home with
Jesus. He was surrounded by family at his home for his peaceful
departure on February 20, 2022.
Bill was an imperfect man. Born into poverty
and an unhealthy family environment, he stumbled through surviving the
first years of his life. He was grateful for his time in the United
States Navy where he learned self-discipline. As a young husband and
father his life was forever altered when he came into relationship with
Jesus and grew to be more like Him every day. He and his wife, Sonja,
became beacons of hospitality and generosity for the remainder of their
60 years of marriage, and even after Sonja’s sudden passing in 2018,
Bill continued to push forward in bringing the Love of Christ to
everyone he encountered.
"Grandad" "Uncle Bill" or
"UB" to anyone who needed one, Bill loved children. He
relished the opportunity to hold a baby, tease a toddler, or throw a kid
over his shoulder. He wanted every child in his life to know that they
were loved.
To the broader community, Bill was The Bug
Man. The business he founded in 1976, he stated "belongs to the
Lord" and he claimed to be "just the manager." He was
proud of the company he founded, and prouder still to see it continue to
thrive and grow.
Bill gave away more Bibles than could be
accounted for. He kept a stock of them in the toolbox of his truck. His
favorite Bible case was specially-made by a friend he made in prison
ministry. After church on Sundays, Bill would hit the road with his
friends to visit their brothers in prison.
When Bill wasn’t investing in others, he
enjoyed a bit of amateur forestry around his property, and he had a
particular inclination to eliminating trees that obstructed his morning
view of the sunrise when "God turns on all the lights."
There can hardly be a full account of what
Bill accomplished on this earth, because most of it was done quietly and
in confidence. We look forward to witnessing his great reward one day in
Heaven ourselves.
Bill is preceded in death by his father, his
mother, Ellen Williams McCauley, his wife, Sonja Gerald McCauley, his
son-in-law, David Cranford, and a lengthy list of beloved friends whom
he looked forward to seeing again. He is survived by his sisters, May
Menefee (Frank), Linda Alexander, and Alberta Pearson; his brothers,
Frank (Carolyn), Richard (Kathy); son Mike (Kay), and daughters Becky
Cranford, and Beth Davis (Rob); as well as grandchildren: Justin
McCauley (Jen), Zac McCauley (Loren), Hannah Cranford, Ellen Davis Ortis
(Andy), Emily Davis, and Erin Davis Hooten (John); his niece, Anna
Moscovitz (Brett) and nephew, Randy (Kymm); and great nieces and
nephews: Kade, Ashlyn, and Reid Alexander, and Devin, Kylie, Chase, Ava,
and Rylan Moscovitz. Before his passing, Bill was able to meet his
great-grandchild and namesake, McCauley Ortis. Bill considered many
others to be family, and if you feel that your name should be included
in this list, you are most welcome to write it in.
Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home
on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 4:30-6:30pm. A service celebrating
Bill’s life will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Pleasant
Valley Church of Christ at 10:00. Following the service lunch will be
served, and everyone is welcome to join. |
|