Bill McGuire Jr

John William "Bill" McGuire, Jr...otherwise known as Goose...passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 after fighting a courageous battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for over 9 years. His Christian testimony and love of people guided him through the valleys and to the mountain tops of his life's journey. His family along with countless students and ball players and coaches witnessed a real person with a huge heart who wanted nothing less than to make others better. Bill graduated from Council McCluer and then attended both Copiah Lincoln Community College and William Carey University on basketball scholarships. He graduated from William Carey with an undergraduate degree and a master's degree. He also attended Millsaps College where he obtained his second master's degree. Goose's coaching career began at Mississippi Job Corps Center in Crystal Springs where he was responsible for both individual and team sports. When he left Job Corps, he went to Union Academy in Georgetown where he coached both junior high girls and boys basketball for 9 years. He had good years and not-so-good years but he always worked hard teaching both skills of the game and life skills for success. From Union he had a quick coaching job at Belhaven University. When the university changed it's team coaching budget Goose chose another coaching opportunity. A position at Parklane Academy in McComb became available and as they say...the rest is history. He taught and coached at Parklane and had many rewarding seasons coaching girls basketball both junior high and high school teams. The one season that will always be his "hallmark" season with the high school girls team was the team winning the Overall State Championship in 1993. After Parklane Coach continued his career at Wesson Attendance Center. Along with teaching he was involved with many student organizations and activities. He was always a "doer" volunteering and working at any capacity for the schools and teams. He loved working the chain gang for Cobra football. He loved the students and he loved his opportunities to witness for the Lord. And then there was the University of Iowa where he landed one summer coaching boy's basketball summer camps. He traveled to Iowa after that each summer for 22 years coaching players from all over the United States and forming lifetime friendships with coaches at every level of the game. He would also become a forever Hawkeye. Many summers Goose also coached summer basketball camps throughout central Mississippi both at high schools and community colleges. Co Lin was a very special camp for him coaching with Gwyn and Dennis. He maintained a will to teach and coach and witness for Christ. He was a true vessel. Bill was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Crystal Springs where he served as a Deacon. He was also happy to supply speakers for the Deacons Saturday prayer meetings. Bill was preceded in death by his father Bill, Sr and his mother, Ruth. He is survived by his wife Hilda and stepsons Buck (Amanda) Bourn and John Paul (Stephanie) Bourn; sisters, Shelley Curtis (Daniel) and Sharon Berch (Bill); 4 grandchildren Jordan, Brandon, Logan, Natalie; 3 nephews Austin, Tyler and Anthony; one niece, Shannon; and 4 great nieces Sarah Claire, Lily, Ella and Emily and great nephews Harrison and Jack Henry and many other aunts and cousins. He left them a legacy of love and inspiration. The funeral will be 11am Saturday, March 1, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, Crystal Springs with burial at Gallman Cemetery. The visitation will be 9am-11am Saturday at the church. Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst is handling arrangements.

Bill McGuire Jr

December 11, 1952 - February 25, 2025

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Bill McGuire Jr

December 11, 1952 - February 25, 2025

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