William Irwin McClatchey's Obituary
William Irwin McClatchey, 95, of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 30, 2024. He was born June 1, 1929 in Washington, Pennsylvania, the only child of William Roreson McClatchey and Zelda Hopkins McClatchey. He lived until age 15 in Centerville, Pennsylvania. He then moved with his parents to Belle Glade, Florida.
Bill attended Belle Glade High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, making the Miami Herald Little All-State Football Team as a senior. He then attended John B. Stetson University, graduating in 1951 with a major in accounting.
On December 19, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Ruth Enlow, a marriage which lasted 74 years.
After a short employment with Davison Chemical Company, he entered the U.S.Army, November 2, 1951 in the midst of the Korean War. He was assigned to the 8578 AAU Army Exhibit Unit stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia.
Upon discharge from the Army, he moved to Fort Myers where he began his career in accounting. He received his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant and spent ten years in public accounting before moving into private accounting, mainly in the construction industry. After eight years with West Coast Rock Company, he joined with J.Foster Pate and his various enterprises, which included the Landings Yacht & Golf Club development. He retired in 1994.
After retirement, Bill and Charlotte spent six months of each year at their summer home in Highlands, North Carolina, taking time out for a few trips to Europe. They also traveled to Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.
Bill is survived by his wife, Charlotte; his daughter, Janice Hopkins, his granddaughter, Elara Jondle (Mike), his great grandchildren, Brookelyn and Colin Jondle; his daughter Robin Thomas (Rudy), his grandchildren, Connor Thomas (Jennifer) and Jonathan Basolo, and his great grandchild, Lucas Thomas; his daughter, Elaine Darroch (Brad), his grandchildren, Brenna Hewer-Darroch (Ben), Shannon Darroch, and Liam Darroch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Roreson McClatchey and Zelda Hopkins McClatchey, and his son-in-law, Steve Hopkins.
A private family memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on November 16, 2024, at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, Florida 33907.
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