William P. McWhorter, Jr.

William Pettigrew McWhorter, Jr., 83, of Alpharetta, Georgia passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2006, after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 54 years, Catherine, and his three children. William was born September 20, 1922 in Tampa, Florida, and moved with his family to Coral Gables, Florida where he attended Coral Gables Elementary and Ponce de Leon Senior High School. His early years were spent in Miami, Florida, as an Eagle Scout, boat building, and reading every book in his high school’s library. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida until he enlisted in the US Army and was deployed to the 1689th Engineer Construction Battalion, and served in Japan. After serving his country, he returned to Miami and graduated from the University of Miami, with an A.B. and Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. He was a member of Alpha Phi Omega and Psi Chi honorary, and was a charter member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He served as a Clinical Psychologist for the U.S. Air Force in Homestead, Florida, and taught and served as an Asst. Principal in the Dade County School System. He also taught Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics, and had a photographic memory for words and the study of language origin. He was a Mason and a Son of the American Revolution. His wide range of hobbies included grafting citrus and avocado trees, Mayan hieroglyphics, and anything mechanical. He was particularly interested in the studies of human behavior and relationships, and wrote a number of essays on the dynamics of cooperative behavior. He was also a gifted artist and musician, and crafted his own violin. He belonged to a number of choirs, and loved to sing. After retirement, he moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida, and joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary and taught boating safety. He was privileged to use his boat to patrol the Intracoastal Waterway of the Indian River and Banana River, and especially enjoyed search-and-rescue activities and providing assistance during the space shuttle launches from the Kennedy Space Center. As an educator and one who considered himself a lifelong student, he served on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Library in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and was privileged to support the construction of the new library. For the past five years, he resided in Alpharetta, GA. He was known to all as an intelligent, patient, and humble man, who always had a kind word for everyone. He had a sharp mind, a gentle wit, and the highest integrity. He was a loving husband, and wonderful father. He made great pancakes. Mr. McWhorter is survived by his wife of 54 years, Catherine Houghton McWhorter of Alpharetta, GA, daughter Gail Hansen and son-in-law Bill Hansen of Alpharetta, GA, daughter Shauna Tucker, of Birmingham, AL, and son Shane McWhorter, PhD, of Decatur, GA, grandchildren Alan Hansen and Alexander Hansen of Alpharetta, GA, and Jenna Hansen of Columbus, OH. He is also survived by his brother John L. McWhorter of Miami, FL, nephew Brian McWhorter of Alpharetta, GA, and niece Cheryl Star, his sister, Viola Waugh and brother-in-law James Waugh of Stuart, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Friends of the Cocoa Beach Library, 550 N. Brevard Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Memorial services will be held at the Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia, 770-645-1414. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00, and the Memorial Service will be held at 4:00.

William P. McWhorter, Jr.

September 20, 1922 - September 14, 2006