William Patrick “Pat” McWilliams, 78, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 26, 2025, with his loving wife of nearly 34 years and family members by his side. His passing was made more comfortable, thankfully, through the efforts of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Born on January 4, 1947, in Leonardtown, Maryland, Pat was the son of the late George McWilliams Jr. and Mary Alice (Beitzel) McWilliams. He was raised at the family home, Hilltop, in Clements, Maryland, alongside his seven siblings. As the youngest of eight children, Pat was fondly known as the most spoiled of the McWilliams family.
Pat and his siblings attended Sacred Heart Church and School in Bushwood, Maryland. He holds a special place in parish history as the first child baptized in the rebuilt Sacred Heart Church in 1947, following a devastating fire in 1944. He received his First Holy Communion there on May 10, 1953, and later graduated from Margaret Brent High School in 1965.
Pat proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Army. He was stationed in Berlin, Germany, with the 4th Battalion, 18th Infantry and was honorably discharged on January 28, 1968, at the rank of Specialist Four. He continued his service in the National Guard until 1971.
Following his military service, Pat enjoyed a long career as an HVAC Plant Supervisor with the Architect of the Capitol, where he served for nearly 30 years until his retirement. After retiring, he founded McWilliams Transportation, delivering sheds throughout Southern Maryland and providing transportation services to the Amish community.
Pat was first married to Cecelia, who preceded him in death on June 30, 1987. During that marriage, he lovingly welcomed her three sons—John, Jimmy, and Ricky Binder—as his own. He later reunited with his high school sweetheart, Sharon Asher Lawrence, and the two were married on February 14, 1992, in their home. Pat also welcomed Sharon’s sons, Elliott and Wayne Lawrence, into his life.
A lifelong member of the community, Pat was deeply involved in St. Mary’s County. He enjoyed playing music in his youth, riding motorcycles, dancing at local events, playing cards with friends, and cutting grass for Ben Burroughs and many others. He was a longtime member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 495, and the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department Lodge.
Pat will be remembered as a loving husband, stepfather, brother, “Pop,” great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was generous, fun-loving, and always quick to bring laughter to those around him.
In addition to his wife, Sharon McWilliams, Pat is survived by his children: Jimmy Binder; G. Elliott Lawrence Jr. (Brandy); and Wayne Lawrence (Janeene). He is also survived by his grandchildren Gabrielle Lawrence (Corey), Brett Lawrence (Marissa), Kaitin Laws, Evan Alvey (Amber), Ryan Lawrence (Caitlyn), and Mason Alvey (McKenzie); and his great-grandchildren Raedyn Lawrence and Rilyn Lawrence.
Pat is also survived by his siblings Mary Alice Muir (Mike), Claudia McAlluff (Jim), James “Jimmy” McWilliams (Myrtle), Charles McWilliams (Barbara), Rose Marie Benson (Benjamin), and Andrew “Andy” McWilliams (Dianne).
In addition to his parents, Pat was preceded in death by his brother George McWilliams III; his mother-in-law Margaret Asher; his stepsons John Binder and Ricky Binder; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home, 41590 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown, Maryland. Family visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., with visitation for friends and reflection at 12 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 1:30 p.m., officiated by the Rev. David Beaubien of St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown. A funeral procession will follow to Charles Memorial Gardens, 26325 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, where military funeral honors and the Rite of Committal will be conducted.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brett Lawrence, Evan Alvey, Ryan Lawrence, Mason Alvey, Don Hammerlund, and Mike Gardiner. Honorary pallbearers will be Gabrielle Lawrence, CJ Bragg, Owens Hayden, and Bill Penn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Pat’s honor to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, 28120 Old Flora Corner Road, Mechanicsville, Maryland 20659, or to St. Mary’s County Hospice, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.