William Kenneth McCaskill (“Bill”)
January 22, 1929 – January 29, 2025
William Kenneth McCaskill (“Bill”) passed away January 29, 2025, in Palm Harbor, FL with his children at his side.
A longtime engineer and devoted family man, Bill was born January 22, 1929, in Camilla, Georgia to William Kenneth McCaskill and Lily Wingate McCaskill.
Bill enlisted in 1947 and served proudly in the Army Air Corps. Stationed in Germany, he returned home in 1950 following the sudden passing of his father. The GI Bill financed an engineering degree from Georgia Tech and Bill enjoyed a successful 42-year career as an air-to-air missile specialist in civil service for the United States Air Force.
Mr. McCaskill lived and traveled all over the U.S., from Georgia to Long Island and Anchorage to Albuquerque before settling in Fort Walton Beach. He met his beautiful, beloved bride Barbara Tabor Ferguson in Atlanta at an off-campus college party in 1951, and they enjoyed a joyful and devoted life together for over 60 years. When Barbara preceded him in death, Bill relocated to Palm Harbor to be near family.
Bill was kind, sharp, and thoughtful with a quick dry wit that would take those around him cheerfully by surprise. He spent his retirement years investing, working sudoku puzzles, and playing online card games.
Universally liked and respected by family, colleagues, and friends, Bill always took special care of the women in his life. He devotedly cared for his mother, sister, daughter, and especially his wife. Bill was also an exceptional son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. When son Cameron became a golf devotee, Bill took up the sport so they could spend more time together.
Bill touched many lives in his 96 years and will be deeply missed. He is survived by children, Cameron D. McCaskill and Kathleen A. McCaskill, and grandchildren, Savannah and Carter McCaskill.
The family is organizing a small private memorial service to be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Bill’s beloved bride, Barbara McCaskill.
