Bill “Mac” McNamara, 81, of Clarkesville, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Born in Buffalo, New York, on July 30, 1943, Mac was the son of the late William and Mary McNamara. At a young age, he developed an enthusiasm for aviation. In his youth, Mac enjoyed building and flying model airplanes with his best friend of 75 years, Jim Metzger. As a teenager, he served several years in the Civil Air Patrol. Mac obtained degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Detroit and Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University.
Beginning in 1966, Mac worked as an Aerospace Engineer for the United States Navy. In his career of 42 years, Mac consulted, simulated, and reported on the results of test flights at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Lexington Park, MD. Mac helped develop technologies and flight control systems for several fighter aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet, X-29, and A-7 Corsair aircraft. Mac supported a Navy-owned flight simulation system that enabled engineers and pilots to test new aircraft technologies.
In addition to his career in aviation, Mac also enjoyed flying planes. After obtaining his private pilot’s license in 1968, Mac flew private airplanes. He shared his love of airplanes with his four daughters. He often took his daughters to watch airplanes, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
After his retirement from the Navy in 2005, Mac continued his passion for aviation. Mac volunteered as a docent at the Pax River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, MD. He enjoyed building and flying model and paper airplanes with his grandsons—Trew, Kaden, and Colin. In 2016, Mac and his wife, Diane moved to Clarkesville. Mac was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church.
In addition to his parents, Mac was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce Tuttle.
McNamara is survived by his wife of 50 years Diane McNamara of Clarkesville, daughters Leslie McNamara of Baltimore, MD, Emily McNamara of San Jose, California, Christine Olson (McNamara) of Milpitas, California, and Erin McNamara, sister Rose McNamara of Dunedin, Florida, son Josh Olson of San Jose, California and Daniel Page of Baltimore, MD, grandsons Trew Shepard, Kaden Olson, Colin Olson, and LJ. Olson.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Hillside Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 10 a.m. Following the service, there will be a paper airplane flyoff and a reception.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the ACES Scholarship Program at the Pax River Naval Museum. Donations can be submitted online or via mail. Checks can be made payable to PRNAMA and mailed to 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
An online guestbook is available by visiting www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.
