On Friday June 23, 2023, William R. Magaha, Jr. died peacefully in his home surrounded by loving family.
Bill was born in Winchester, Virginia on May 2, 1947, to William and Mildred Magaha, Sr. After graduating from Hanley High School, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard on the 'buddy system' with his best friend Donald Garrett. After boot camp in Cape May, New Jersey, he completed Fire Technician School at Naval Station Great Lakes.
Bill traveled half the world throughout his service with the Coast Guard, and while in Ireland, he found the origin of Magaha. He was relieved and happy to find people who correctly pronounced Magaha without any prompting.
During Bill's enlistment, he visited the Caribbean to perform trials with the Navy in Cuba. While stationed in Long Beach, California he visited Hawaii and Japan. We also heard many interesting stories of initiation for crossing the International Date Line and earning the title of "Golden Dragon."
Bill was stationed in Portland, Maine, Long Beach, California, Governors Island, New York, Yorktown, Virginia, and at Headquarters in Washington, DC. He was offered Officer Candidate School but decided to become a Chief Warrant Petty Officer.
While serving on the USS Minnetonka in Maine, he met his future wife, Judith Buzby. Bill and Judy were married in the Quaker Meeting House in Woodstown, New Jersey in January 1969. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this past January.
The pride of Bill's life was his two children, William Joseph Magaha of Millsboro, Delaware, and Meredith Lee Magaha of Corona, California. In 1981, Bill temporarily resigned from the Coast Guard to pursue his lifelong dream of owning a farm. He and Judy purchased a 98-acre farm in Southern New Jersey where they raised their two children for nine years. During this time, he also taught at the Salem Co. Vo Tech, reaching and changing the lives of several students.
Bill later rejoined the Coast Guard and accepted a position at headquarters where he felt he could make a difference in the future of the Coast Guard.
After completing 20 years of service, Bill retired with many lifelong friends and even more memories.
While their children were attending college, Bill and Judy settled in Baltimore, Maryland. Not one to stay idle, Bill spent a year in Saudi Arabia as a civilian contractor. Upon returning to Maryland, his knowledge and passion for cars led to his employment at Fisher Auto Parts where he held various positions, including Regional Sales Manager.
Everywhere he went, Bill managed to make a lasting impression of his intelligence, compassion, and understanding of his deep convictions. He will always be remembered for his infinite knowledge, love of muscle cars, desire to help others, and storytelling; no one could tell a story like Bill!
Bill is survived by his wife, Judy, son Joseph and his wife, Stephanie, her children Joanna, Michael, and Coleman, daughter Meredith, his sister Nora Magaha Jones and her children Matthew and Christina, and sister Robin Magaha Della Vedova. Bill also has many remaining cousins on both his mother's and father's sides.
The family wishes to privately hold his final service, but a celebration of life will be held on August 5, 2023, from 1 - 4 pm at the Millsboro American Legion Post 28. Anyone who wishes to share in this time with memories, stories, spiritual comfort, or simply show their respects, are welcomed.
The family would like to acknowledge the Arbutus EMS Team who were so compassionate and helpful to Bill on numerous occasions. If you wish to honor Bill's memory, donations may be made to the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department EMS Team in lieu of flowers. To donate, visit the link below or send contributions to: Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department EMS Team at 5200 Southwestern Blvd. Arbutus, MD 21227. If possible, please specify contributions should go towards the EMS Team.
Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department (arbutusvfd.org)

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