William Francis McGuire III, known to most as Billy, was a gregarious, generous, intelligent 27 year old that had a larger than life personality and a heart to match. Billy grew up in Chappaqua, NY and was raised, as his aunt says, by 12 parents. The family that surrounded him included his parents, stepparents, grandparents, numerous uncles and aunts, cousins, his two younger brothers and sister, his close friends and their families, and his neighbors too. This family was a very important part of Billy’s life and everyone in it loved him dearly.
Funny, smart, and good-natured, Billy was someone you could always talk to or crack a joke with and he never hesitated to help a friend in need. In high school Billy developed into a driven student and impressive athlete, captaining the varsity boys baseball team. In an interview shortly before his death, Billy was asked what his most treasured possession was. His response: “My high school baseball jersey signed by all of my teammates.”
At Franklin and Marshall College, Billy’s family grew even bigger with the addition of new friends and teammates. He was a brother of Delta Sigma Phi and won “Team Rookie of the Year” on the varsity men’s baseball team, becoming the captain during his senior year. He also perfected his golf swing during this time and was notorious for dominating the golf course. Anyone could tell you how much fun it was to be around Billy and it’s no surprise that in college he found love, friendship, and a determination to help others.
In 2012 Billy expanded his family once again when he was accepted into the Columbia Business School. While earning his MBA he continued his involvement with sports as a member of the Sports Business Association and was also active in the Columbia Student Investment Management Association. His short time there left a huge impact on his classmates and teachers. Billy was incredibly hard working, an outstanding friend, and a role model for his brothers and sister. His life was cut short at a time when he was establishing himself as an influential professional, while also starting to think about the possibilities of having his own family with his beloved fiancée. The Billy Mac Fund was created to keep growing Billy’s family, as he would have done.
