William Hobgood McNiel

William Hobgood McNiel, age 93, died peacefully at his home in College Park, Georgia, on February 14, 2013. Born on April 14, 1919 in Fairburn, Georgia to Etta Hobgood McNiel and George Looney McNiel, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Maude Elizabeth McDaniel McNiel; his parents; and his only sister, Caroline McNiel Vason. “Bill” grew up in Fairburn among a large family of Hobgood grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, ODK, Blue Key Society, the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band and was an editor of the Pandora yearbook. Bill remained an enthusiastic Georgia Bulldog throughout his life. Having completed academic requirements for his MBA, he left Athens to work for IBM, and served his country during World War II as Army Air Corps Captain and systems analyst based at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. There he managed what was then the largest IBM unit in the world, handling all supply and personnel records for the Air Corps. Following the war Bill returned to IBM in Atlanta, at which time he completed his law degree, was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, and later became senior statistician with the Veterans Administration. He met and married Maude Elizabeth McDaniel of Prescott, Arkansas in 1947, and in 1948 joined the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta. He and Maude made their home in College Park, and he remained with Coca-Cola for a 34-year career, retiring in 1982 as Manager of Corporate Employee Benefits and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Bill was professionally active in the Council of Employee Benefits, where he held national office; the Board of Directors for South Fulton Hospital; and the Planning Commission for the City of College Park. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of College Park, where he raised his family, held various positions on the Board, and most recently enjoyed serving for many years as president of the David Hambrick Sunday School Class. Mr. McNiel is survived by his two daughters, Nancy McNiel Long and her husband, Nim; and Martha McNiel Stelling and her husband, Ed; six grandchildren: Elizabeth McNiel Long, Martha Reese Long, Joanne Dunn Long, William Edouard Stelling (Ginny), Joseph McDaniel Stelling and John McNiel Stelling; three nieces he treasured dearly, and many cousins, special neighbors, attentive caregivers, his exceptionally caring physicians and family friends who were all loved and appreciated by Bill. He was truly blessed in his later life to be surrounded by a faithful community of dedicated friends. His greatest pleasures included writing personal notes and spending time with his family and friends. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 o’clock on Monday, February 18, 2013, at College Park First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 in the church fellowship hall. A private family burial will follow at Fairburn City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to College Park First United Methodist Church, 3726 East Main St., College Park, GA 30337, or the charity of your choice. Parrott Funeral Home and Crematory, 770-964-4800.

William Hobgood McNiel

April 14, 1919 - February 14, 2013