Cochran – William Haywood McDonald, Jr., age 81, died Saturday, December 14, 2019, in Coliseum Medical Center in Macon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pulaski-Bleckley Memorial Gardens with Masonic funeral rites.

Mr. McDonald was a lifelong resident of Bleckley County. He was the son of the late William Haywood, Sr. and Myrtle Avant McDonald and was preceded in death by his brothers, Lamar McDonald and Bob McDonald. He was retired from Riverwood International after 40 years and a retired school bus driver for Bleckley County Schools after 14 years. He was a cattle farmer and member of the Cattleman's Association and the Horseman's Association. Haywood was a member and past Worshipful Master of the Cochran Masonic Lodge #217 F&AM, past Commander of the York Rite, past Worthy Patron of the Cochran Eastern Star Chapter #400 and a member of the Dublin Eastern Star. He was a member of the Cochran First United Methodist Church and the Mary Ann Meadows Sunday School Class.

Survivors are his wife, Betty Smith McDonald of Cochran; his daughter, Mitzi (Boyd) Atkins of Cochran; grandchildren, Elise (Kevin) Hodge and Darryl Atkins of Cochran and Trevor Atkins of Glenville; great granddaughter, Destiny Hodge of Cochran; his sisters, Dorothy (George) Anderson of Warner Robins and Marie (David) Holly of Bonaire; special friend, little Chris Lyles of Cochran; several nieces and nephews.

The family is at 119 Haywood McDonald Road, Cochran and will greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Mathis Funeral Home.