William “Bill” McDaniel, Jr., 83, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by the love of his devoted wife, Pam, and his two daughters, Tricia and Dawn.

Bill was born on June 27, 1943, in Chipley, Florida. As a teenager, his family moved to Gainesville, Florida, where he attended high school. He went on to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, laying the foundation for a distinguished career that spanned decades.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Pam; his daughters, Tricia and Dawn, and Dawn’s husband, Tom; and his four cherished grandchildren, Brittany, Zachary, Mackenzie, and Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.

Following graduation, Bill began his engineering career by helping Boeing engineers design the cooling and support systems for the Apollo 11 rocket launch tower at Cape Canaveral. In 1975, he joined the Florida Department of Transportation in Miami, where he worked on the preliminary studies for the Seven Mile Bridge and its companion spans in the Florida Keys. He later served with Dade County, where he helped develop the Metrorail commuter rail system that opened in 1984. Bill continued his career with the Florida High Speed Rail Commission before returning to the Florida Department of Transportation as District Secretary for the Tampa District. After retiring from the Department of Transportation, he completed his career with URS, an engineering consulting company.

While Bill was proud of his professional accomplishments, nothing brought him greater joy than his family. He and Pam met as teenagers and built a beautiful life together over the course of 62 years, filled with unwavering love, laughter, and countless adventures. They traveled extensively throughout the world, creating unforgettable memories both as a couple and with their children and grandchildren.

Bill especially enjoyed river cruises throughout Europe and Oceania cruises to South America and Australia. Some of his favorite trips were those shared with his grandchildren, exploring France, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, and Scotland. He also looked forward to annual family vacations on Sanibel Island, Florida, where precious memories were made year after year.

At home, Bill found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved music and played in the band during both high school and college. Gifted with an engineer’s mind, he could repair almost anything and genuinely enjoyed solving problems and working with his hands. He also had a special affection for his daughter Dawn’s dog, Ben, who always knew he could count on Bill for an extra treat.

Bill will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, quiet strength, and generous spirit. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a trusted friend, and a respected mentor whose wisdom and encouragement positively influenced many throughout his life and career. His love for his family and his legacy of service, compassion, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends.