William Riley McCauley
William Riley (Bill, Billymack, Red) McCauley, age 88, passed away peacefully on February 5 with his wife, Shirley, and “grand” Kelly by his side.
Bill is survived by his wife, the love of his life and soulmate, Shirley (Slater), for over 66 years. Born and raised in rural Enterprise, West Virginia to Dhring and Lilly Olive (Cunningham) McCauley (both deceased) and was the last survivor of 12 siblings. Bill was lovingly supported by three generations of close family, children of whom he and Shirley affectionately referred to as their “daughter/son”, “grands” and “great-grands”.
Bill received his draft notice while on his honeymoon and served two years repairing tank engines at US Army bases in Germany. He worked for the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools as custodian for 33 years. In 1981, after cancer surgery, he was told he would have only 2 to 2- ½ years to live. Obviously, the “energizer bunny” proved doctors wrong. He was a warrior!
Bill was an avid sports player for 70+ years, playing basketball, volleyball, and hardball weekly, bowled in several bowling leagues, and his love for the past 20 years was playing softball with Solon’s “Babes of 1916.” He grew up playing horseshoes, and was darn good at it, throwing ringer after ringer. Friends and family always wanted to partner up with Bill when playing horseshoes or cornhole, as they knew they would be “the winners.” Bill helped establish South Euclid’s first Ponytail Softball League in the ‘60s.
Bill and Shirley loved travelling by car or going on bus trips. Every year, they travelled by car to San Diego to visit family, taking a different route every year, enjoying the beauty of the USA, especially our National Parks, with Yellowstone being their favorite. They have hiked almost all of our National Parks, visited every State Capitol, loved visiting historic towns and places, and cruised many USA Rivers. Their last trip was in 2019, covering over 10,600 miles in 61 days.
In lieu of flowers, consider donations, in Bill’s memory, to: Babes of 1916, 37182 O’Neill Dr, Solon Oh 44139, or Alzheimer’s Association, Cleveland Area Chapter, 23215 Commerce Park, Suite 300, Beachwood, Oh 44122, or a charity of your choice.
Cremation arrangements were handled by Blessing Cremation in Mentor, OH. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.