William “Bill” Alfred McNair, 68, passed away peacefully on Nov. 15, 2024 at his home in Hamlet with his family by his side.
He was born at Hamlet Hospital on Sept. 11, 1956 to Elizabeth “Betsy” Query McNair and Alfred Baldwin McNair.
Bill was an excellent auto mechanic. He began working in 1977 at Kirkley’s Exxon. He would often say the slogan “Happy Motorin’,” as a customer was leaving the station. In 1998, he worked briefly at Firestone and then Perry Brothers Goodyear in Rockingham, before returning to Hamlet to work at K’s Korner Stop, until a fire caused the garage to close. His last job was at Little’s Automotive in Hamlet until 2022, when his health forced him to retire.
Bill was highly intelligent, had the ability to teach himself many skills, and had a dry but witty sense of humor. He moved into the home his mother was raised in and designed and built the bathroom from the floor up. He had a natural rhythm about him, that had he chosen early in life, would have been an excellent musician.
In the early 1990s, Bill was diagnosed with diabetes, after which he dubbed himself S.O.B. (Sweet Ole Bill).
Bill is preceded in death by his parents; his older sister, Elizabeth “Beth” McNair Freeman; and brother-in-law, William “Eric” Freeman.
He is survived by his sister, Susie McNair Burgess and her husband Michael Burgess; a niece, Rebecca Rea Burgess; a nephew, John Michael Burgess; John’s wife, Jessie Wilson Burgess; a great-niece, Josie Marigold Burgess; a great-nephew, Jax Allen Burgess, and by his best friend, Cathy Kirkley. Bill is, also, survived by cousins, both maternally and paternally.
A service in celebration of Bill’s life will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 in the chapel of Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet and the family will visit with friends following the service.
Memorials may be made in memory of Bill to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 U.S. Hwy 1 N., Rockingham, NC 28379; or to First Presbyterian Church of Hamlet, 200 Rice St., Hamlet, NC 28345.
Condolences may be submitted online by visiting watson-kingfuneralhome.com.
