William R. "Bill" MacKay, 84 of Pensacola, FL passed away Friday, April 20, 2018.

Born at Pearl Harbor, Bill's Navy family returned to Pensacola where he was educated, graduating from Pensacola High School. Bill made frequent trips to Barrineau Park to spend time with his Barrineau cousins. A faithful Gator fan, he graduated in forestry at University of Florida and was elected to Xi Sigma Pi forestry honor society. He served in the US Army in Germany "dusting missiles," then returned to forestry, retiring in 1985 from St. Regis/Champion Paper Company.

Moving to Barrineau Park, Bill trained at George Stone Technical Center, established a nursery, and co-managed family timber, retiring again when work became physically too demanding.  This created more time for travel. He explored many parts of the world, including his ancestral roots in Scotland. He will be buried in his MacKay tartan jacket. His last trip was to the Big Apple November, 2016, specifically to attend the Metropolitan Opera one more time.

Bill loved the solitude of the piney woods where he lived and worked most of his life. He loved hunting, photographing wildlife, and walking his beloved woods. After declining health forced a move to town, he continued to enjoy music, reading, learning, cooking, and family. He sang bass in his church choir until two weeks before his death. For years he sang with Gulf Coast Chorale. He attended Pensacola Symphony Orchestra concerts and opera wherever he could access it. He attended a UWF concert the night before he died. He was a unique and complex man.

Calling himself "just a cousin," he was much more to his relatives who survive him.  He is predeceased by his parents, TNG "Mac" and Bessie MacKay; half-brother, Theron, and his first cousins, Merwyn Barrineau and Jean Barrineau Jacobi. Pallbearers will be members of the Jacobi family.

Visitation will be at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel Thursday, April 26, 2018, 11am-12noon, with the service to follow, Pastor Gail Baughman officiating.

Family and friends may gather at Barrineau Family Cemetery (95A and Chipper Road) north of Cantonment for graveside services at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested memorials be made to Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, 901 E. Gadsden Street, Pensacola, FL  32501.