William (Bill) Howard McArthur, 92

William (Bill) Howard McArthur, 92, of Forest City passed away November 8, 2015.

He was born and raised in Forest City. He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his four children, Willette Owens McArthur, and his second wife, Mary Myers McArthur, and his sister, Mary Kate Penson.

He attended Brigham Young University of Engineering and served his country as an Army engineer in WWII. After the war, he returned to Forest City to work with his father, David, in the three generation family business, McArthur's Inc., a metal fabrication company. After the death of his father, he owned and operated the family business until he retired in 2000. The business is in its fourth generation and is owned and operated by Bill's nephew, Steve Penson.

Bill was a past member of the Forest City Elk's Club and served as their Grand Exalted Ruler in the early 1960's. He and his spouses belonged to several square dance and ballroom dance clubs from the 1950's until 2000. He also enjoyed his motorcycles, a Honda Gold Wing and a dirt bike, and rode them until he was 78 years old. He was an avid photographer, who enjoyed taking pictures of his family members, wildflowers and of the mountains and deserts he visited in his R.V. travels across the U.S.

Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church in Forest City, but for the last several years he attended services at the Second Baptist Church in Rutherfordton.

He is survived by his children, daughter, Elaine M. Hill and her husband Braxton, of Virginia Beach, VA, three sons, William Terry McArthur of Forest City, Marion Audrey McArthur of Asheville and Sherman Teal McArthur and his wife Cindy, of Rutherfordton; and twelve grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Leah Bridges, Bill's long term caregiver, for her loving and gentle care of Papa Mac.

The Funeral was held in The Padgett and King Chapel with Reverend Keith Stephenson officiating and a eulogy offered by his son, Sherman. Interment followed in the Cool Springs Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church, 191 Green Street, Rutherfordton, North Carolina 28139.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.