John William McPhail, age 89, of DeLeon Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 18, 2016. John was born October 2, 1926, in Baltimore, MD, to John Ellis McPhail and Thelma Getchey McPhail. John joined the Navy on September 26, 1944, and was a Seaman 2nd Class. He served on the USS Essex Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific during World War II and was honorably discharged from the Navy on June 18, 1946. John moved to Chicago to attend television school and there met Carolyn Moore. They were married in 1953 and moved to Miami in 1954. They were blessed with four sons: William Alexander, Michael Lawrence, Steven Ellis, and John William, Jr. Enjoying fishing and football, John would take his sons on many fishing/camping trips and to many Miami Dolphin football games. Throughout his lifetime, he was a godly example to his family and showed them the love of his Heavenly Father. His loving ways will be greatly missed. John established McPhail Sheet Metal Corporation, a full service sheet metal shop, in Miami in 1961, moved to DeLand in 1977, and operated that business until 1991. In 1986 he started McPhail Properties, a warehouse leasing business. John was an active member of The Gideons International from 1981 until March 2016 and was an active member of Christ Community Church for 35 years and the Alliance Chapel for three years. John was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Laura, 11 months old in 1987; his oldest son, Bill, in 1988; his youngest son, John, Jr., in 2007; and his sister, Peggy Ann Sterling in 2010. He leaves his wife, Carolyn, of 63 years; his sister, Joan Harroun; two sons, Mike and Steve; two daughters-in-law, Claudia and Marie; and six grandchildren, Nathan, Amanda, Aaron, Emily, Katie (Matt) Foster, and Kristina; and one great granddaughter, Colette Foster. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at 10 am at the Alliance Chapel, 135 W. Armstrong Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International at 50 Century Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37214.