William “Bill” McMahan, Sr., 95, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on June 10, 2017. He was born in rural Lawrence County, Tennessee on August 4, 1921, just 95 years after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died (1826). A natural equestrian, he spent so much time on horseback as a small boy, that his childhood nickname was “Horsefly.”

Immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, and saw action aboard the U.S.S. Zeilin throughout the Pacific Theater. He is profiled in five pages of the World War II book Attack Transport (Robert Witter, 2001).

He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he studied engineering following the War. There, he met his beloved wife, Binnie Louise Helton. They were married for 66 years, until his death.Bill was an active Christian and elder at Meadowview Presbyterian, and later attended and served as a Sunday School teacher for Buechel United Methodist Church. He worked as a claims adjuster and insurance investigator for Liberty Mutual, and as an insurance agent for Sentry Insurance.

He is survived by his wife Binnie; sons, Bill McMahan Jr., (Candace) and David McMahan (Amy); and two grandchildren, Derek McMahan (Lorraine) and Samantha Mallory (Ben).

Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.  Graveside services and interment will be conducted at Pleasant Grove Cemetery at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 17, 2017, with Billy Beal officiating.  If desired, memorial contributions can be made to Buechel United Methodist Church, 2817 Hikes Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40218. 

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