William "Bill" McCaughey - Blytheville

Thursday, February 14, 2002

William F. "Bill" McCaughey, 83, of Blytheville died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, in the home of his daughter, where he was visiting, in Des Arc. He was born Oct. 2, 1918, in Olex, Oregon to John William and Orpha McCaughey. He was raised in Oregon, Washington, and California. In 1941 he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and stationed at Blytheville Air Force Base, and as he said it, "was one of the first 100 men stationed here." There were socials held for the servicemen and that is where he met and later married his wife, Mary Kathryn Dillahunty. After they were married, he left for Japan during World War II.

In 1951, McCaughey completed watch making school in Houston, Texas. He has since owned and operated McCaughey Jewelers in Blytheville where he has worked up until the time of his illness in August 2001. He was a member of the American Legion for 53 years, a member of the Chickasaw Saddle Club, a former member of the Kiwanis, and had served as president of the Downtown Merchants of Blytheville. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathie Saul and her husband, Dean, of Des Arch, and Jeannie Morehead and her husband, Ron, of Blytheville; a son, John McCaughey of Blytheville; a sister, Maryalice Crookston of Portland, Oregon; and six grandchildren, Dare and Hayley Saul, Ryan and Holly Morehead, Jackie and Matt McCaughey.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kathryn, two sisters, Odie Baker and Williame B. Scott, and two brothers, Carl and Buddie McCaughey.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church Chapel with Rev. Bill Fuller officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 Tuesday (tonight) at the funeral home. Cobb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.