William McMahon, a retired blacksmith who, with the help of his wife, took on the Navy to found the U.S. Naval Academy Parents Club of Illinois, died Monday, Jan. 22, in St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford. A resident of Rochelle, Ill., Mr. McMahon was 75. “We had to fight to establish the club,” said his wife, Margaret. “The Naval Academy was against the idea, thinking it was going to undermine their authority, and now the clubs are encouraged.” Mr. McMahon was the club’s founding president when it was formed in 1979, attracting 75 people. “We were not expecting more than a handful of people, and it turned out to be an instant success,” his wife said. Mr. McMahon ran a forge for Peoples Gas Light and Coke, now Peoples Energy. “He repaired whatever needed attention, built tools and was proud to tell people that he was a blacksmith,” his wife said. Mr. McMahon was a resident of Elmhurst for 23 years. He retired in 1989. “He loved to fish and garden and, in his earlier years, enjoyed hunting,” his wife said. “And he was great with kids. We don’t know of a kid who didn’t love the man.” Mr. McMahon is also survived by three sons, Michael, Thomas and Martin; and six grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 8:15 a.m. Saturday until services at 9:15 a.m. in Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 S. York St., Elmhurst. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1135 Daniel Drive, Bensenville.
