William H. McDaniel

William "Mac" H. McDaniel, age 77 of Watkinsville, Ga. passed away on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 2:30 a.m.
A native of Wadley, Ga., Mac was the son of the late Adel and George McDaniel of Wadley. He was a Berry College Alumni where he met his wife of 56 years.
Survivors include his wifeValeta Kate Harp McDaniel formerly of Seminole County, Ga., 2 children: Cindy Caye (McDaniel) Murphy of Dakota Dunes, S.D. and her husband, Pat Murphy and their children, Melissa, Marc, Lucas and Max, son Daniel Joshua McDaniel of Watkinsville and daughter Grace of Boulder, CO, sisters Martha Ruth and Everett Cowart of Winder and their children and Bonnie and Leonard Watkins of Wadley and their children.
Mac was a member of the Watkinsville First Christian Church in Oconee County. He served in the US Army for 2 years (1957-1959), was employed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as a forensic chemist for 10 years (1960 -1970); employed by US EPA in Athens for 30 years as Chief Chemist of the Analytical Chemistry Lab, making it, with his capable staff, the national standard for accuracy of contaminants in the environment. His Lab was recognized as the model for other EPA Labs across the nation. He was recognized with national meritorious awards for his ethical approach to his work and his leadership within the EPA.
He was a 40-year member of Amity #713, the Masonic Lodge in Watkinsville. Over the years he served in many masonic bodies, counseled many new members and spent many hours at the Masonic Children's Home in Macon. A list of the bodies is as follows: Served as W.M. of Amity Masonic Lodge # 731, H.P. of Keystone Chapter # 1, Royal arch Masons, IM of Triangle Council # 42, R&SM, EC of Godfrey De Bouillon # 14, KT, SM of Ralph C. James Council # 311, AMD, Degree Master of the 6 degree Scottish Rite, Secretary of Amity Masonic Lodge # 731 for 22 years, Secretary of Ralph C James Council for many years, Mac is a charter member of Ralph C James Council # 311, he was appointed Masonic Judge for the 8th District for 4 years, Member of Masonic Appendant/Concordant Bodies, Scottish Rite, KYCH, 33rd degree Mason, Red Cross of Constantine, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest (KTP), Luther Palmer York Rite College # 123 and as member of the Ralph C. James Council.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013 at the Lord & Stephens West Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23 at the Lord & Stephens West Chapel with the Reverend Doug Ivey officiating.
Interment (Masonic Graveside Service) will follow at the Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Kite, Ga. at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.