William Howard McBride, Jr

Mr. William Howard "Bill" McBride, Jr., 67, of Thonotosassa, FL, passed away Saturday evening, December 22, 2012, in Mount Airy, NC. Mr. McBride was born May 10, 1945, in Belleville, IL, to Patricia Sweat McBride and the late William Howard McBride, Sr. Bill grew up in Leesburg, FL, where he graduated from Leesburg High School in 1963. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1967, where he was a member of Florida Blue Key and the ATO Social Fraternity. After one year of law school at the University of Florida, he was commissioned to the United States Marine Corps, where he served in Vietnam as a company commander. He was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for valor. Bill resumed his law school studies at the University of Florida, where he was selected for Law Review and graduated in 1975. He then joined the law firm of Holland and Knight, under the leadership of Chesterfield Smith. Bill ultimately served as managing partner of Holland and Knight from 1992 to 2001, when he resigned to run for governor of Florida. In 2003, he joined the law firm of Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood, Long, and McBride, where he was practicing. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Adelaide Alexander "Alex" Sink; his son, William Albert "Bert" McBride; his daughter, Lexi McBride Crawford and her husband, Douglas; his mother, Patricia Sweat McBride; a sister, Cheryle McBride; a brother, Paul McBride and his wife, Pat; a nephew, Chris McBride; and his father-in-law, Kester A. Sink and his wife, Rosie, of Mount Airy, NC. A memorial service was held Friday, December 28, 2012, at 1:00 PM at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to The United Way Suncoast, Bill McBride Memorial Fund, 5201 West Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 600, Tampa, FL 33609; or The Levin College of Law, The University of Florida Foundation, William H. McBride, Jr. Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.