IN MEMORIAM: Bill McFatridge
On November 15, former Grayson College Board Member Bill McFatridge passed away at the age of 91. McFatridge served on the Grayson College Board of Trustees for 36 years and is a lifetime member of the Association of Community College Trustee Association. He diligently served his community, family, and Grayson College.
Bill joined the Oklahoma 45th Division National Guard, just three years following the end of World War II. After graduating high school in 1950, the 45th was mobilized and Bill was soon on his way to Japan and then Korea, where he served from 1951-1952. He returned to Durant in 1952 and attended Southeastern State University and earned two bachelor of arts degrees and one graduate degree. He then earned two additional degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Bill was elected as a Grayson College trustee in 1980. He once said, “Grayson College, directly responsible to the citizens of the district and in immediate contact with the area’s needs, is the local agency best situated to improve the economic and social life of the community with the assets available.”
He was very active in the Whitewright community. In 1968, he left active ministry to become the President and owner of the family business, Carl’s Sausage Company. Later in life, he purchased land in Whitewright and developed the Rose Hill addition.
Bill was an ordained Baptist minister and preached at several churches in Texas and Oklahoma. He served on the Seminary Advisory Board and is also a Lifetime Member of the Southwestern Baptist Theological President’s Advisory Board. He was a Trustee for the Oklahoma Baptist Convention and was an Oklahoma Senate Chaplain. Other organizations include Order of the Arrow with the Boy Scouts; 72 year, 33rd degree member of the Masonic Lodge; Eastern Star; Shriners; Rotary Club; and Meals on Wheels.
Bill was married to his wife Wilma for 71 wonderful years. They had three children and numerous grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
“Bill was committed to making Grayson College great.” President Jeremy McMillen said. “His passion for serving students and the community was remarkable, and we are forever grateful for his contributions to Grayson College.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 2, at 1:30pm at the First Baptist Church, Whitewright. The family requests any memorial be given to the Bill McFatridge Family Scholarship at Grayson College.