William Curtis Mcgraw

William C. McGraw, Jr. Regional Manager McGraw-Hill, Inc. William C. McGraw, Jr, 82, of Lakeland, FL, died peacefully on October 9, 2018. Bill enjoyed life to the very fullest until his death. He was the devoted husband of Carolyn Warner McGraw for 53 marvelous years. Bill was born August 8,1936 in Forest City, North Carolina to William Curtis and Elizabeth Jones McGraw. Bill and Carolyn met while Carolyn was doing her senior-year practice teaching at St. Petersburg High School in October 1964. They were engaged in December 1964 and married June 5, 1965,—also the wedding date of Carolyn’s parents Bill and Vada Warner. After graduating from Appalachian State University, Bill began his career in education as a business education teacher at Enka High School, Enka, North Carolina. In addition, he taught in Asheville and Atlanta before taking a position with McGraw-Hill, Inc. He made a detour to Florence, SC as the owner of an International Harvester Dealership. Later Bill and Carolyn returned to Lakeland where Bill was employed as Vice President of Lakeland College. McGraw-Hill, Inc called upon Bill once again as they knew his talents in this people-oriented industry. In 2003, Bill retired and told Carolyn that they were going to travel the world so she should retire too. His passion for travel, history and world cultures took him first to England, Wales and his ancestral home in Scotland. Bill never met a stranger; consequently he stayed in touch with his tour guides over the globe. Bill’s favorite adventure was to Egypt and China. His fond sites were Catherine’s Palace, the Hermitage, St Basil’s Cathedral, St Peter’s Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and tulips in bloom in Holland. He loved The Night Watch, Van Gough, the Kremlin and Red Square. He was proud of his work as Chairman of the Rotary Scholarship Fund which enabled many students to continue their valuable education and become productive, outstanding Lakeland citizens. Bill was a man of strong faith and personal integrity. He was a loving father to his son William Andrew and devoted grandfather to William Grayson, Noah Giles and Madeline (Maddy) Sophia. He was delighted to have two step granddaughters Gabriela Elizalde and Genesis Pagan. Bill is survived by his loving wife Carolyn of 53 years, his son Andrew (Wanda) of Lawrence, MA, three grandchildren, two step grandchildren and his brother John Barry McGraw (Sharon H.) of Raleigh, North Carolina. Bill was a long time member of First United Methodist Church of Lakeland where a memorial service will be held in the chapel on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. Following the service will be a visitation reception. The family would like to thank all those who cared in a special way for Mr. McGraw during his stay in Lakeland Regional Hospital on various floors and care units. In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church in memory of William C. McGraw, Jr. 72 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801