William Malcolm McCaskill Sr., lovingly known as Mac or Pa Pa, passed away on August 23, 2023, at the age of 94 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He was born on April 8, 1929, in Columbia, South Carolina, to James W. McCaskill and Edna Williams Fogle. Mac is survived by his devoted wife of 74 years, Janice McCaskill, and their five children: Brenda Hamlin (Greg Sr.), Dianne Calandra, William McCaskill Jr. (Karen), Clifford McCaskill, and James McCaskill (Jenna). He also leaves behind nine cherished grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

From an early age, Mac displayed determination and a strong sense of duty. Mac joined the United States Navy at the age of 14 and served honorably for two years during the European and Pacific campaigns in WWII. His service took him to various parts of the world, including Pearl Harbor, Japan, and Guam, where he was a plank owner and machine gunner aboard the destroyer escort ship, USS Stockdale (DE-399). In 1945, Mac was anchored in Tokyo Bay adjacent to the USS Missouri during the signing of Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which finalized WWII.

Mac and Janice met in South Carolina and married on November 12, 1948 after his return from overseas. The family relocated to Tennessee and North Carolina before finally settling in Florida where they resided for 62 years. Mac embarked on the entrepreneurial path and owned and operated McCaskill Heating and Air Conditioning in Dunedin, Florida. Upon retirement, Mac’s interests included daily golf outings and cheering for his favorite sports teams from his recliner.

To those fortunate enough to have known Mac, he will forever be remembered as a loving family man with an endless repertoire of stories from his many adventures. In this time of grief, may we find solace in the memories we hold dear, knowing that Mac’s spirit will endure through the lives he touched and the lessons he instilled in us all.