William Bart McPherson

William Bart McPherson, aged 91, was born on Sept. 6, 1930 at Pineville, north Monroe County, Alabama, and died on June 12, 2022 in Hiawassee, Ga.  

Mr. McPherson graduated from Beatrice High School in 1948 and the University of Alabama in 1952. He served two years in the US Air Force as a first lieutenant, working for the National Security Agency at Arlington Hall Station, Va. 

He then studied at Auburn University as a special student in the agriculture school for two quarters, then returned home to Beatrice where he worked raising cattle with his father for five years. In 1960 he went to work for Vanity Fair and spent 34 years with several apparel companies. 

Returning home, he got his builder's license and worked in home construction for several years, finally building his own home and pond in Beatrice. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman, an avid photographer, loved woodworking, rebuilding old vehicles and was an instrument-rated private pilot. 

For the last 10 years, he studied oil painting under an accomplished oil painter. 

Mr. McPherson was preceded in death by his father, Laurence Milton McPherson; his mother, Annie Mae Bell Booker; his stepmother, Velma Hughes McPherson; his son, Laurence Milton McPherson II; his brother, Milton Monroe McPherson; his brother, Laurence Malcolm “Larry” McPherson; his half-brother, Raymond “Bay” Booker; his half-sister, Angeline Booker Wynn; and step-children Randy Rhyne, Cindy Wilson and Cathy Rhyne. 

Mr. McPherson is survived by his wife, Irene Rhyne McPherson, his daughter, Lisa (John) Adair; his daughter, Mary Beth McPherson (Zed Johnson); his sister, Anna Laura Brown; his brother, Jimmy (June) McPherson; his half-brother Robert “Butch” (Patricia) Booker; his grandson, Miles Johnson; his step-children Jeff Rhyne, Brandy Mosteller, Misty Rhyne; 10 step-grandchildren; several nephews and nieces; and two step-great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date.