WILMINGTON — “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15
In the early hours of Monday October 5, 2026, William “Bill” Henry McMahon, age 90, entered his eternal home and was greeted by his Lord and Savior. His body and mind were made whole and he is walking on streets of gold. Bill was born on September 9, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to William James and Catherine Detterline McMahon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John McMahon and his two sisters, Kathy Hauler and Susan Heath.
He married the absolute love of his life, Mae Edwards McMahon, 70 years ago and the love that they shared was an inspiration to everyone who knew them. Together they built a strong foundation for their family, which includes their five sons: Barry McMahon and wife Annie, Ed McMahon and wife Teena, Paul McMahon and wife Ruthie, Jim McMahon and wife Rhonda and Andrew McMahon and wife Shirley. Their 19 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren were blessed to be able to witness the love that they shared.
Bill is in Heaven today, not because of any good that he did on this earth, but because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. As a young man, he confessed his sin and accepted Christ as his personal Savior, turning from living his life for himself but choosing to live a life for his Lord. In no way was he perfect and yes, he made mistakes, but his desire was to follow Jesus and to honor and glorify Him. He moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 2006 and was a faithful member of Fellowship Baptist Church. Bill spent much of his life in Christian ministry working as the State director for the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Connecticut, the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Palmer, Massachusetts, the coordinator of Accelerated Christian Education in New England and New York and the Pastor of Colchester Bible Baptist Church in Colchester, Connecticut.
Bill’s gentle spirit, warmth, and kindness will be missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him. His life was a testament to his faithfulness to God and his love for his wife. family, friends and those that God placed in his life. He was a special man.
Thank you to the staff at Northchase Nursing and Rehabilitation and also Lower Cape Fear Hospice who cared for and loved on him for the last few months that God had him here on this earth.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be conducted 3:00 PM Sunday October 18, 2026 at Fellowship Baptist Church 5709 Murrayville Road, Wilmington, NC 28405, and the family invites all who wish to celebrate Bill’s remarkable life to join them in honoring his memory.
The family will greet friends from 2 PM until service time.
