McCLURE, William Granville Jr., died peacefully Friday, March 7, 2008, at age 86, in a Richmond hospital after a long struggle with pulmonary disease. Born in Lynchburg, Mr. McClure was graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School with the Class of 1939 and from the Virginia Military Institute with the Class of 1943, where he was president of his class and president of the Honor Court. He served with the 11th Regiment, 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Theater during World War II, surviving amphibious landings on Okinawa and Peleliu, where he received the Purple Heart. Upon his discharge in 1946, he began a long career as an executive with The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, serving in various roles throughout the Commonwealth, in Washington, and in New York. Following his retirement, he pursued his passions for stamp collecting, genealogy, painting military figures, and all things "VMI". But he devoted much of his energy to Trinity United Methodist Church, Richmond, the center of his journey of faith for 50 years, where he led a class in Bible study and lent his bass to the choir. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Jean Carey Mann; three sons, William G. McClure III of Richmond, R. Leonard McClure of Heathrow, Fla., and Dr. F. Daniel McClure of Charlottesville; five grandchildren, Kathryn, Mollie, Brandon, Jessica and Carey; and three great-grandchildren, Gray, Myles, and Owen. The family will receive friends at the Parham Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Road, on Monday, March 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. A memorial and celebration of Mr. McClure's life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 903 Forest Avenue, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the McClure Scholarship Fund at Trinity United Methodist Church, or to the William G. and Jean M. McClure '43 Scholarship Fund at The VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va 24450.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
I will always remember Mr. McClure as a wonderfull Sunday School teacher. I first met him in the college class when I was a student at Westhampton. I also visited the Bible Study Class whenever I would visit my Mom in Richmond. He will be remembered as a great Christian man who touched many lives.
Patricia DabneyDenton
March 31, 2008 | Hampton, VA
I had the privilege of working with Bill in pulmonary rehab for a number of years, and he was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known, and a true patriot. We shared many wonderful conversations about his family, VMI, WWII, Sunday School, and church choirs. He frequently brought in lovely photographs of his great-grandchildren. He really loved his family. You are so blessed to have a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather like that. He was always the bright spot in my day at...
Suzanne White
March 24, 2008 | Richmond, VA
My thoughts and prayers are with you Jean, and all your family. I am saddened but I have so many great memories, as I know you do. I think often of our Bible Study Class and Bill's preparation and teaching. He inspired and challenged me weekly and always encouraged us to be in fellowship and mission. I will be in touch. Blessings,
Beth Parker
March 11, 2008 | DE
My thoughts, prayers and love go out to the McClure family.
Paula and Amanda McGhee
March 10, 2008 | Richmond, VA
Bill and Wyckie, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Clarence, Tammy, Logan, Paige
Clarence Brewer Jr.
March 10, 2008 | Central City, KY
MY LOVE AND PRAYERS ARE SENT TO YOU ON THE DEATH OF BILL
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF JEAN.
I WAS HONORD TO HAVE BEEN NOT ONLY IN BILL'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS BUT TO HAVE LOVED JEAN AND BILL FOR MANY YEARS.
GOD BLESS
DALE DODSON
March 10, 2008 | RICHMOND
In my pre-teen years, I grew up behind the McClure’s home here in Richmond off of Westham Pkwy. I was close friends to Leonard and Danny. I remember many many times when I use to spend time in their house… Mr. McClure would talk about his service as a Marine. I never forgot his dedication and love for the Marines and VMI. Most of all, the stories he told about his landings on the Japanese held islands and what it took to take them back. It was nothing like the John Wayne movies that I...
Thomas Cooke
March 09, 2008 | Richmond, VA
