William Albert "Al" McPherson

William Albert “Al” McPherson was born in Winter Haven, Florida on January 23, 1947, to Bessie Ruth Smith McPherson and Robert Woodard McPherson.  He was the first born of their McPherson Clan and was later joined by a sister and brother. He quietly passed from this life into life eternal on October 2, 2024. Having been born into an active military service family, Al’s early years were spent in Tennessee, Alaska and New Mexico as well as travels throughout the United States. In 1960, upon his father’s retirement, the family moved to Marianna, Florida where they were happily welcomed by grandparents, aunts, uncles and lots of cousins with whom many fond memories were made. There were Sunday meals at Big Granny’s, family holidays and reunions with the best southern cooks, swimming in the Chipola river and Turner’s Landing, sliding down hills on cardboard boxes and games at Jennings Field.  Lots of fishing at Merrit’s Mill Pond, big backyard fish fries, building forts and endless days in the woods. And then, there was horseback riding, and that my friends, is when Al became a Cowboy! His lifelong love of horses unfolded, he loved trail rides, the rougher the terrain, the better.  In later years he was known as “Radio” and “Man from Snowy Mountain” and proudly served with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Horse Posse. 

After graduating from Marianna High School, he attended Chipola College prior to his enlistment into the United States Air Force in 1967.  He served in Crete, Italy, Philippines, and Vietnam.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and received honorable discharge in 1972. Upon return stateside he entered the plumbing trade and received his state certification. He taught plumbing at Chipola College Vocational Program. He later worked for Washington County School Board at Dozier School for Boys teaching a vocational plumbing program that later broadened into building trades.  

Al was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy) McPherson; his sister, Pat McPherson Furr and husband, Les of Marianna; brother, Michael McPherson of Mobile, Alabama; aunt, Mable Smith of Marianna, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  

Graveside funeral service will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 11:00AM with Father Robert Ott officiating and Marianna Chapel Funeral directing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross Helene Recovery at www.redcross.org, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.    

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Robin Albritton, JD Tyler, Marianna Health and Rehabilitation staff, Emerald Coast Hospice and his Church family for their compassion, prayers, care and loving kindness.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Albert "Al" McPherson, please visit our floral store.