William Fredrick McGinley

  Bill McGinley passed away quietly in his sleep at his Sevierville home with his wife by his side May 31st. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary, and his son Scott. Bill was 94 years old.
    Bill grew up in the Quad City area of Iowa. Working in manufacturing, he became a tool and die maker by trade. He was always involved with cars and motorcycles as a young man. Bill met Mary in his 20's and they have been together ever since, driving and riding motorcycles all through the midwest. Later his interests shifted to flying and he earned his private pilots license with commercial and instrument ratings. In the 70's he became involved with hot air ballooning. He and Mary ran a hot air balloon business for many years.
    When he was 49 they sold the business and moved to California where he finished his tool making career and retired from Hughes Aircraft. During their time in California he and Mary flew private planes extensively throughout the southwest. The family moved to Sevierville Tennessee in 2023 and Bill has been enjoying the peace, serenity and hospitality of the folks in the Great Smoky Mountains till his passing.

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