VALDOSTA — William C. McCullough, 93, of Roswell, Ga., passed away peacefully on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2012, after an extended illness. Born to the late Cecil Davis McCullough and William Boyden McCullough on Sept. 10, 1919, in Savannah, Ga., Mr. McCullough was raised in Evanston, Ill., and graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1936, and Northwestern University in 1940. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army from June 1941, to Spring 1945. He attended the first class of the criminal investigators’ school at Ft. Oglethorpe, where he received instruction from Col. Melvin Purvis. He served as an investigator with Chicago military police and later entered the corps of military police officer candidate school at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, where he was awarded his commission as a First Lieutenant. After attending courses of the provost marshal general’s language training detachment at the University of Minnesota, he was sent overseas to Manila, Philippines as chief of the criminal investigation division where he investigated black market, vice, murder and similar serious crimes that were committed by civilian and military personnel. During his service in the South Pacific, he was awarded many medals and decorations. He was in the Army Reserves until 1957. A true patriot, one of his fondest memories was coming home to much celebration and fanfare in the New York Harbor on one of the first returning ships, the USS West Point.

In 1947, Mr. McCullough began his 38-year career with International Paper Company, selling newsprint to newspaper publishers throughout the South Central U.S. A top salesman for many years, his customers became his lifelong friends. In 1985, as manager of the Dallas and Atlanta IP offices, he closed the newsprint division and retired. He was offered a vice presidency position with a competitor in Chicago; however, chose to move his family to Roswell, Ga., to be close to his wife’s family. 

Over the years, Mr. McCullough was a member of many organizations, including the Skokie Valley Kennel Club and the Great Lakes Kennel Club in Chicago. He traveled around the country showing his dogs, with his highest achievement being “Best in Show” at the Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden.

He was honored to become a Mason and Scottish Rite Mason in 1995, Gate City Lodge Number 2. He also enjoyed his membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, actively participating in the Atlanta Chapter where he was former President. As former Georgia State Historian, he established the SAR Archives at the Atlanta History Center. In the Children of the American Revolution, he served in senior leadership roles for many years, including former Senior President of The Glass Brothers Society.

Mr. McCullough had been a member of the Roswell Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed attending the weekly Men’s Bible Study.  

Mr. McCullough had a strong will to live, overcoming many health challenges. His interests included a love of flying, aviation, Chicago Cubs, reading, cooking, and being a member of the Greatest Generation. He was most proud of his family.

Mr. McCullough is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Gene (Genie) McClellan McCullough. Other survivors include his two daughters and their spouses, Arian McCullough Hall and her husband Jeff of Kennesaw, Ga., and Adelaide McCullough Skinner and her husband Robby of Dallas, Texas; his grandchildren, William Davis Skinner and Sarah Gene Skinner, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the special caregivers and nurses for their comfort, care and loving attention over the past two years, including Carolyn Mattingly, Sandra Daniel, Linda Sorgiarto, Sarah Hokanson, Michelle Besley and Cindy Walls.  

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Roswell Presbyterian Church. In addition, there will be a service held Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Lovein Funeral Home in Nashville, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Roswell Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 755 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, GA 30075 or to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Attn: Tribute and Memorial Gifts,1687 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, in his name. — Roswell Funeral Home, Roswell, Ga.