William “Bill” Robertson McGregor Jr. , 83, passed away on May 27, 2026, in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family.
Bill was born in Portsmouth, Va., on Sept. 22, 1942, at the Naval Hospital to Martha (Bachtell) McGregor and William McGregor. He was notably the first baby born to the newly established U.S. Navy Seabees.
His parents separated shortly after and his mother moved home to McGregor, Iowa. Bill was able to spend time with his grandparents, Fred “Fearless” and Jessie “Nana” Bachtell, his aunts Betty, Janet and Jolene and Uncle Jack. Bill would later write that no one could ask for greater love and examples. He idolized Jack and noted that the greatest gift he ever received was Jack’s baseball glove.
Bill thrived in McGregor and spent hours playing baseball, running in the hills and building lifelong friendships. His mother married John “Jack” Stuckey, whose work with the railroad took the family to Idaho, Wisconsin and Sioux City. Bill spent summers in McGregor and Merced, Calif., with his father, wife Kathryn (Shacklett) and half-brother Robb. He returned to McGregor for his senior year to graduate from MarMac High School in 1960.
After graduation, Bill moved to California to attend College of Marin. There he met Katherine Yates, whom he would marry. Together, they built a family and welcomed three children: Julie, Heather and Dan.
In 1963, Bill enlisted in the Navy and after completing flight training in Pensacola, Fla., became a naval flight officer. He was assigned to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and the A-6 Intruder. Bill served two combat tours in Vietnam with Attack Squadrons VA-196 and VA-145, flying 150 combat missions and making over 350 aircraft carrier landings from the USS Constellation and USS Ranger. For his service, Bill earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 11 Air Medals. His favorite accomplishment, however, was not over foreign soil. Instead, it was a legendary buzzing of Main Street McGregor in an A-6 before his first deployment. Bill later graciously donated his uniform and service awards for display at the McGregor Historical Society Museum.
By 1974, Bill was ready for a new adventure. He transitioned to the Naval Reserve and moved the family to Eastern Washington to begin a career as a pear and apple orchardist. Trading in tail hooks for tractors, he successfully learned to farm. The family ultimately landed in Cashmere, Wash., on an orchard they named Scotch Glen.
After divorcing in 1987, Bill moved to the East Coast and rejoined the aviation community. He worked in the Pentagon for chief of naval operations, air warfare and then with various teams in the defense and research sectors. During this time, Bill met Donna Reed and the two became partners for life. They enjoyed sharing each other’s lives, families and had many adventures together.
When Bill retired, he followed his children and grandchildren to Idaho and settled in Boise. He built a community of friends and very happily spent time watching Gonzaga basketball, visiting neighbors, drinking Pepsi (never Coke) and living life exactly the way he wanted.
Bill is survived by his children Julie McGregor (Pete Schwartz), Heather McGregor (Mark Bucknall) and Daniel McGregor (Megan Burns); his cherished grandchildren Cassidy Bucknall, Mason Bucknall, Gus Schwartz, Wynne McGregor and Evan McGregor; his brother Robb (Cheryl) McGregor; his partner Donna Reed; his beloved cousins Jack (Joyce) Bachtell and Jan Craig; and many extended family members he loved immensely.
A viewing will take place on Aug. 6, at 11 a.m., at Relyea Funeral Chapel. A graveside committal service will follow at 1 p.m., at the Idaho Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Boise.
