Obituary of William Hoyle McDonald III

On Thursday, January 19th, 2023 William H. McDonald III “Skip,” a beloved husband and father passed away at the age of 68 after a strong fight from Stage 4 Malignant Melanoma. Skip was born to William H. McDonald Jr. and Verna Mae Warfel on August 1, 1954 in Tallahassee, FL. He was raised in Ocala, FL from the age of 2.

He studied at Florida State University 1973-1977 then went onto Stetson where he received his undergraduate degree. Skip earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Nova University College of Law in 1983 and was admitted into the Florida Bar. He opened his own law practice in Ocala shortly after graduating.

Skip enjoyed attending many FSU Seminole football games with friends and family throughout his life. He loved spending time at Lake Kerr on his 1978 speedboat. He traveled with his wife and children frequently to his Chalet in Vermont where they enjoyed skiing and spending time with his Vermont family.

Skip volunteered as a coach and active member for MCYFL for over twenty years. He believed in giving back to the community by coaching the youth of Ocala.

After his son, Alex, passed away in 2012, Skip was initiated into the Florida Beta Chapter (FSU) of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Skip carried on Alex’s legacy with help from friends and family for the Alex McDonald Foundation that provided scholarships to Marion County high school senior’s, MCYFL, Forest Football program, and SAE of FSU.

Skip is predeceased by his parents, his beloved son William Alexander McDonald, his brother David McDonald and sister Linda McDonald.

Skip is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Dianne Harvey McDonald from Salt Springs, FL, daughter Allison Lynn McDonald from Downingtown, PA, his brother Richard McDonald (Mary Anne), and his sister-in-law Jenny Lee McDonald from Ocala, FL. Skip is survived by nieces and nephews Claude (Melinda), Lindsey (Bodie), Lauren and Gracie McDonald,Father-in-law Marvin Harvey (Barb), mother-in-law Jeannette Casler (Jake), brother-in-laws Ray (Cheryl), David (Patty) and sister-in-law Jackie along with nephews Steven McGuffin and Jeffrey Lokatys. Skip is also survived by extended family from Indiana and Vermont.

The Funeral Service will be held at 12 PM Saturday, January 28th at Grace Episcopal Church 503 SE Broadway St in Downtown Ocala followed by a reception in the Parish House. The burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery 1515 NE 3rd St in Ocala.

In lieu of flowers, Skip wished for donations to the Alex McDonald Foundation. Paypal: @AlexMcDFoundation Please email with questions to a.mcdonaldfoundation@gmail.com