Commander William G. Mawhinney USNR-Ret, 95, of Vero Beach, passed away on Nov. 20, 2015.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Sally Mizerak, Pat Trafton, Matt Mawhinney, Mike Mawhinney, and their dedicated spouses and families; and countless, well-loved friends including Susan Talbert, Harry Hurst, Alma Lee Loy, Jim and Lois Thompson, Monica Wellmaker, Bill and Elaine Jerrils, Paul Mace, Jean and Rhonda Delong, Bonnie Stansel, Valerie Waters, Dalila Aparicio, Walt and Catherine Weber Burkett and many more.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Mary Jones and Matthew Mawhinney, by his brothers, Warren, Matthew and William and by his deeply cherished wife, Zelma Zimmerman Mawhinney.
Mawhinney was born on May 10, 1920. He was a dedicated Christian. His parents gave him unending love, Christian joy, strong family values, love of nature, high standards for truth and achievement, a giving heart and a sense of authentic interest in almost everyone who crossed his path.
Pittsburgh was Mawhinney’s city of birth, childhood and adolescence.
His philanthropy included regular gifts to Colgate (undergraduate degree) and Denver (master’s degree) University, Billy Graham, Disabled Vets, Paralyzed Vets, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and many other charitable organizations.
Throughout his life, Mawhinney initiated personal contacts that resulted in vibrant sharings of joy, fun and meaning. Each contact was filled with exchanges of Christian love, true genuineness and delightful humor.
He didn’t preach at people. He simply showed his lifelong belief in Jesus Christ by doing his best to live as Jesus taught: to love one another.
Mawhinney joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 to become a Naval Aviator. On receiving his Wings of Gold, he was assigned to VP-14 in the South Pacific during WWII. He was a pilot flying the PBY-5 Catalina flying boat. Commander Mawhinney flew multiple missions picking up downed naval aviators who had to parachute or ditch their aircraft into frequently heavy seas.
For these accomplishments, Mawhinney received the “Distinguished Flying Cross” from the Secretary of the Navy. He received additional combat medals for service in WWII and Korea. He retired in 1980 as a Commander, USNR.
His life after active military service was filled with adventure, accomplishments and variety. He built his dream home near Anchorage, Alaska and worked for Pacific Northern Airlines. He married Zelma Zimmerman in Denver, Colo., on Oct. 17, 1952 and became a public relations specialist for Goodwill in Florida.
In 1994, he and Zelma moved to the Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. After Zelma passed on, he remained at the Center.
Mawhinney did something for his family that many think about but seldom accomplish. Almost a decade ago, he began organizing his lifetime’s collection of memories. His goal was to complete a written, personal and comprehensive history of his life to give to his family. He called the book his “Legacy.”
He felt blessed to worship God at First Baptist Church In Vero Beach. He spoke often of both the beautiful music led by Michael Carter and the Nifty Fifties group led by Harry Hurst.
In his dress uniform, Wings of Gold, medals and ribbons, Mawhinney was buried with military honors on Nov. 24, 2015 at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo, Fla. It was his request to have no memorial service. He wanted only to be buried next to his beloved wife Zelma.
In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that his friends and family feel welcome to join with him in making contributions to the William G. Mawhinney College Scholarship Program at the First Baptist Church, Vero Beach. Bill’s friends and family thank Aycock Funeral Home, Fort Pierce, for carrying out Bill’s wishes with total dignity, compassion and caring.