"Our deepest condolences to the entire family. We grieve with you and share fond memories of our time together at St. John's Church, QCC, and summers in Minnesota. RIP Doc."
In loving memory of
Dr. William McReynolds
December 20, 2014
Dr. William U. "Bill" McReynolds died peacefully in his sleep at 8:18am Saturday, December 20, 2014.
Bill was born March 19, 1927 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Ralph and Mary Barr McReynolds. He married Lucy Cherrill "Cherry" Emmons on November 10, 1956 in St. John's Episcopal Church in Quincy, Illinois. She survives.
Bill grew up flying model airplanes and dreamed of being an aeronautical engineer. To pursue that goal, he left Quincy High School and entered Phillips Exeter Academy followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before graduating from high school he had earned his Eagle Scout Award and NRA Distinguished Expert Rifleman Award. He was drafted into the United States Army after completing his freshman year at MIT. Bill completed basic training and was about to be shipped out to the Pacific Theatre when WWII ended. After returning to the midwest, Bill decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a doctor instead of an engineer. He attended the University of Missouri at Columbia and then graduated from Northwestern University Medical School. Having made the decision to specialize in Ophthalmology, he completed his residency at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and soon afterwards became a Board Certified Ophthalmologist.
In 1957, Bill and his new wife Cherry left Quincy for a trip to Hawaii. This exotic honeymoon was actually the first leg of a journey to Bamdah Mission Hospital in Bihar, India. The rural mission was founded by the Church of Scotland and had no electricity or running water. Bill performed hundreds of cataract surgeries on villagers with Cherry by his side. Their mission lasted three months.
Bill was always fascinated with new technology and gadgets. In the early 1970s Dr McReynolds was on the cutting edge of a revolutionary improvement in the field of cataract surgery. He was a founding member of the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society. Bill was named Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and holds 3 U. S. Patents. The McReynolds Lens Analyzer earned him recognition among his peers and raised the quality standards of intra-ocular lenses.
Cataract surgery was Bill's specialty and he successfully restored the eyesight of thousands of patients. After 38 years of practice in Quincy, he retired in 1993.
After Cherry and his family, the second love of Bill's life was flying. From Alaska to Acapulco, he criss-crossed the continent with his family in a single-engine airplane. Bill led his family and friends on countless camping, fishing, and boating adventures. Quail hunting was another of his passions. Thanks to the generosity of many patients, Bill had permission to hunt on farmland far and wide. Bill and Cherry spent their retirement years between Quincy and Naples, Florida. Instead of slowing down, Bill went golfing, sailing, bicycling and swimming. Bill & Cherry were married 58 years.
Survivors in addition to his wife include three children, Ralph (Laura) McReynolds of Quincy, Lucy (Marc) Schneidman of San Anselmo, CA, and William E. McReynolds of Quincy; four grandchildren, Liam and James McReynolds, Katie and Sophia Schneidman; two nephews, Barr (Ruth) McReynolds and Kirk (Liz) McReynolds, both of Quincy.
Bill was preceded in death by parents and a brother, Dr. Ralph Barr McReynolds.
Services: 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Rev. Patrick Smith officiating.
Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois
Visitation: 12:00 to 2:00 pm on Tuesday (December 23, 2014) in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Memorials: Darwin L. McClure Aviation Scholarship at Quincy University or Mississippi Valley Council Boy Scouts
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, You willingly gave Yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life. Listen to our prayers; look with love on Your people who mourn and pray for Bill McReynolds. Lord Jesus, You alone are holy and compassionate; forgive Bill his sins. By dying You opened the gates of life for those who believe in You; do not let Bill McReynolds be parted from You, but by Your glorious power give him light, joy, and peace in heaven where You live for ever and ever. Amen."
"my heartfelt condolences to all of you guys.Dont know of anyone who led a more productive,fullfilling life.Thanks for all you've done for us."
"I have so many fond memories of your Dad-Husband. Bill was in my Dad's wedding and they were very close friends from childhood. I remember taking our houseboats up to Hogback and tying them together and Bill catching Billy in a long fish net when he fell between the boats. Bill and Cherry hosted a wonderful party at their house when Dan and I got married and I remember our pleasant visits when he would come in to Merkels on the weekend. He was a very interesting person to listen too. I am so sorry for your loss, Bill, Ralph, Lucy, Cherry and others"
"Our sad condolence. Notes sent to Lucy, Ralph and Billy at their homes. "