William "Bill" Lee McCandless

William “Bill” Lee McCandless, age 81, of Wilmington, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2026, peacefully at home. He was born August 5, 1945, in Wilmington, the son of the late Chester “Chet” C. Rothwell and Nellie G. Rothwell (nee McCandless). Bill attended Martinsville High School until its closure and graduated from Wilmington High in 1964. Bill also drove at a young age for the Miami Valley Quarter Midget Racing Association, where he won several trophies. He had worked at General Motors for 30 years until his retirement in 1998, however, anyone that knew Bill knew he always had to be working on something. Bill worked part-time for Wilmington Transit for 13 years, a job he greatly enjoyed. Bill was a very loyal member of the Wilmington Fraternal of Eagles for over 50 years, holding several officer positions. Bill loved his family, and especially adored all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loving them “more than a cat loves cream in the springtime.” Bill is survived by his children, Jennifer (Darrin DeWees) Floyd and Jeanell (Mark McConnaughey) Knauff; grandchildren, Samantha Floyd, Jamie (Kurtis) Boggs, Justen Floyd, Kristen (Bryan) Jeffers, Sierra Knauff, Jarrett Knauff, Maegan (Chris) Taylor, and James Knauff; sister-in-law Emily (Paul) Brown; son-in-law Robert Knauff; daughter-in-law LaVonne McCandless, nephew Chris Arnold, niece Sonja Kay Blinka, nephew Jason Brown, and several great grandchildren, cousins, and friends. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, Sharon Louise McCandless, whom he married August 7, 1965. Bill was also preceded in death by his son, James L. McCandless; three brothers-in-law, William Arnold, William Wade, and Harold Wade; sister-in-law Jewell Arnold; and nephew Sean Arnold. A Celebration of Life will be held in conjunction with held son Jim, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Wilmington Fraternal of Eagles.  

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