Obituary of William McCafferty

William “Bill” Joseph McCafferty went home to God on September 3, 2021, at age 76.

Bill was born to James and Sarah McCafferty on March 19, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up, he loved the outdoors, fishing, football, weightlifting, singing, cooking, and baking as well as drinking his coffee. His love for cooking took him to The Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, Connecticut. He received his AA degree in Advanced Chefs Training in 1965. 

Bill met his wife, Bonita McCafferty in 1960 through a friend in Maple Heights, Ohio. They married three and a half years later on January 23, 1965, and went on to have eight children, Andrew David McCafferty, James Brian McCafferty, Kimberly Therese Williams, Beth Ann Enriquez, William Joseph McCafferty II, Christopher Michael McCafferty, Michael Christopher McCafferty, and Kelly Marie Gruber. In 1981, they moved their family to Pinellas Park, Florida.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband, father, father in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather, Bill loved dedicating his time to multiple churches, homeless shelters, and any organization that helped the less fortunate. Throughout his entire life, he held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him.

Some accomplishments throughout his life included: 

-        Youngest Hotel & Motel General Manager in all of Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 22

-        1st place in the 1970 O.S.R.A. Cherry Dessert Competition

-        He was the Executive Chef and General Manager that put on the Neil Armstrong party when he came back from the moon, and more

-        He put on the Planet of the Apes movie afterparty in the 1970s

-        Bill and Bonita were married for 56 years and together for 60 years

-        The owner of three companies: Ground Maintenance/Pest Control/Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS store

Bill joins his parents James and Sarah McCafferty, Bonita’s parents, Andrew and Rose David, sister Judith Lynn McCafferty Powell, brother in-laws, sister in-laws, a niece, and many friends in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Bonita, 8 children, 25 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren (more on the way), nieces, nephews, 3 brothers (Reverend James B. McCafferty SM.., Thomas P. McCafferty, Robert F. McCafferty), 3 sisters (Mary Ellen McCafferty Zmorowski, Susan L. McCafferty Nowowiejski, Gerrianne McCafferty Parker), 2 brother in-laws, 2 sister in-laws, 3 son in-laws, and 5 daughter in-laws, and many friends.