NATCHEZ — A celebration of life for William Dewey McGehee, 74, of Natchez, who died peacefully while surrounded by his loving family Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at Natchez Regional Medical Center will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the historic Auburn Antebellum Home located at 400 Duncan Avenue in Natchez.  A Following Service will also be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Algiers section of New Orleans.

Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans. Local arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

The son of Dewey McGehee and Mary Annis Mosher McGehee, Bill was born in McComb and raised in Franklin County with his sister Mary Frances McGehee Schorr.  An American Army Veteran who graduated from Louisiana State University, Mr. McGehee went on to a long and distinguished career with Aetna, spending 30 years in the Hartford Home Office before retiring to Natchez in 2000.  A Master Gardener, avid chef, staunch Audubon Enthusiast, and devoted history buff; he devoted his retirement years dedicating his time and energy to many local civic and nature conservancy organizations, including the Natchez Opera Guild, the Franklin County Museum, Friends of St. Catherine’s Creek Refuge, Auburn Garden Club, Mississippi Ornithological Society and Scottish Heritage Society.

He was preceded in death by his beloved and faithful canine companion, Ralph McGehee.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 48 years, Dorothy Windham McGehee; his daughter Loren McGehee Slaydon; son-in-law Gregory Slaydon; his son Geoffrey McGehee; three grandchildren Robert, Connor and Emily; and many loving nephews and nieces.