William “Bill” McGoun, 84 died peacefully May 4, 2022, with his son and daughter-in-law by his side in Coral Springs, FL.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie and parents Edwin and Dorothea McGoun.
Left to cherish his memory are his three children, Michael McGoun and wife Adriana, Brandy Knisley, Desiree Ballard and husband Greg, sister Madalyn McGoun, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, a cousin and host of valued friends and colleagues.
Bill was born August 31, 1937, in New Castle, PA and moved to South Florida as a child. He graduated from Lake Worth High School in 1955 and attended Palm Beach Junior College where he discovered his love for writing. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1981 with his Master’s degree in Anthropology and graduated from the University of Florida in 1989 with his Ph.D. in Anthropology. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious honor society in America, in December 1989. He was a committed Gator fan and enjoyed watching games with his son.
Bill worked as a journalist for Ft. Lauderdale Newspaper, Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post where he retired and as a Contributing Editor at The Ashville Citizen Times until October 2021.
Once retired, Bill and Bonnie moved to their dream location in the Smokey Mountains of NC (Bryson City). He said many times this was his dream home, a place with a great view and a large in-home library.
Bill and Bonnie loved to travel and experienced all the world had to offer. Even after her passing in 2015, he continued his travels visiting his son and family in Coral Springs, FL, cousin Bob in Pensacola, FL, daughters in Dallas, TX, grandson attending MSU - Starkville, MS and a grandson and family in Okinawa.
Bill was a lifelong learner and believed in the power of an education. He loved the arts, music, his family, and books. He volunteered for many years at the Friends of the Marianna Black Library Used Bookstore in Bryson City, NC.
A private service will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be sent to: Marianna Black Library, 33 Fryemont Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
To all of Bill’s friends and colleagues – thank you for your friendship and inspiration over the years. The McGoun Family.