Bill Memorial Fund

William Robert McCann

August 5, 1958 – January 24, 2023

William “Bill” McCann, 64, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 24, 2023, surrounded by his children after a long, hard-fought, battle with cancer.

He was born on August 5, 1958, in Bedford, a son of Sally (Swartzwelder) Claar and the late William Ray McCann. Bill was predeceased by his father William Ray McCann; grandparents Robert Swartzwelder and wife, Edythe, and an Aunt, Barbara Wilson. Bill is survived and missed by his former wife Megan (Murphy) McCann and their children, Tara McCann and partner Kyle Horner, Marissa McCann and fiancé Braden Thomas, and Julia McCann and partner Mark Weller; grandchild, Lucas Whetstone – son of Tara McCann; step-father, Carl Lee Claar; half-sibling, Brandin Claar; also three half-siblings born to his father and his second wife, Wanda, Michelle ‘Mickey’ Fagan, Lynnette Beegle, Maxton ‘Mack’ McCann; his Aunt Kaye Will – who he loved dearly; cousins Bob and Jeff Wilson, Patti Will Lengel and Sandie Will Lewis, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He is also survived by Krazy Gracie Girl, his long-haired Siamese cat.

He attended Bedford High School (Class of 1976), where he developed lifelong friendships. He grew up in his grandparents’ home, which sat on approximately 300 acres of beautiful land. Bill remembered these years fondly, and in a notebook explained his memory of them:

“It (the land) had an apple orchard, cherry trees, a pear tree, and a grape arbor. The mountain had two spring hollows, little streams you could dam up to make a small pond to play in. You could also catch crawdads. (We) Spent lots of time playing Cowboys and Indians or Army.”

He enjoyed having fun here with his cousins and friends and talked of these days with immense joy. Later in life, he’d revisit the land with his children to explore, fly kites, and set off rockets – a memory deeply cherished. He was also a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan.

He was easy to talk to and became the confidant of many friends and acquaintances. He was best known for his humor. He was an avid storyteller and writer with a creative mind. Below is one of his excerpts written in his last year on earth:

“It doesn’t matter what we did

Not how or what or why

What matters is the love we shared

With those we let inside”

He loved hard and felt deeply. He will be greatly missed.

Family and friends are invited to join a celebration of life, which will be held at Merritt Pond Campground on April 15, 2023, between the hours of 1-4 pm. Following, a private scattering ceremony for Bill’s ashes will be held on a local trout creek to honor his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bill Memorial Fund which will be split in half to pay tribute to Bill and support the local Bedford County Humane Society. Donations can be made here.