Mr. William McClain

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven, a time to be born and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Life Reflections
The future is not ours to know and it may never be so, let us live and give our best, never anticipating or doubting the power of our Savior, asking nothing for tomorrow except, Thy will be done.

A Time To Be Born:
On a beautiful day in the year of 1937 on June 18, in the city of Mullins, South Carolina, a handsome baby boy was born to the late Josephine McClain.  He was named Hoover DeLarge and later changed to William DeLarge.

As A Child:
William was affectionately called by his middle name DeLarge. After the passing of his mother when he was a small child, he came to Philadelphia and was raised by his mother’s sister, Aunt Eva. He was educated in the public school system graduating from West Philadelphia High School.

In his early years, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour.   He joined Deliverance Evangelistic Center under the late Pastor Harold Benjamin where he served faithfully on the trustee’s board, usher’s board, and men’s fellowship.  Although he was no longer affiliated with a church, he remained faithful to the Lord’s teaching and firmly believed that his earthly home was soon to be dissolved and his eternal home would be in heaven.

A Time To Live:
DeLarge was employed by Abbott’s Dairy for over 40 years and retired from WaWa Foods, Inc. in 2003 with recognition for outstanding performance.  He was known as the “Milkman” delivering dairy products to his family and neighbors. He took pride in giving and helping all those who was in need and want.   DeLarge’s co-workers would seek him out for money management, fatherly advice and financial assistance.  He was a hard workerand a great provider always meeting the needs of his family.

A Time To Love:

On January 16, 1960, DeLarge was united in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Ruby. They raised their family of nine children in a Christian home filled with love. His mother-in-law prophesied before they met that God would send Ruby “a man from nowhere”.  God did it and he was!!!  He was her Priest, Provider, and Protector.

In Life:
DeLarge enjoyed family time with his children,grandchildren, watching basketball with his sons, watching religious programs with his wife, football, wrestling, and his western shows. He loved gazing out his living room front window always with the remote in hand. He took pleasure in giving advice to his off-springs of whom he was enormously proud.  Roller skating was his passions as a younger man. Other favorites includerelaxing in his recliner, enjoying great meals that weren’t diabetic restricted.

In Death:

In addition to his mother, DeLarge was preceded in death by a beloved son. Steven William McClain, brothers, Truman Hamilton and John Fields, and sister, EarlineJoyner.

He leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life and legacy: his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Ruby;three daughters, Kathy Mapp, Sharon (Kevin) Eichelberger and Gail Gibbs; five sons, Neil (Denise) Maddox,  Larry (Lillian) Maddox, Michael McClain, Ronald (Kotanya ) McClain and Derrick ( Rhena) McClain; daughter-in-law, Margery McClain;  30grandchildren;  33 great-grandchildren; one cousin/brother, Vonnie Hamilton; four sisters-in-law ,Mary Washington, Delores Hamilton  Lorraine Waters, Joyce Hamilton; two brothers-in-law, James Johnson,Kenneth Waters;  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

DeLarge lived a long and blessed life and will be missed by all who loved him so dearly.