Wilford Eugene "Bill" Cathey, 86, of Great Mills, MD, died Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at his home, in peaceful sleep. He was born on April 22, 1929 in Wewoka, OK to the late Edd Cathey and Martha Chandler Cathey.

Bill proudly served in the United States Navy as a Radioman from August 4, 1947 to his honorable discharge on August 8, 1951. While serving in the Navy he traveled the world and earned the Good Conduct Medal, China Service Medal, Naval Occupation Medal and Korean Service Medal.

He married his beloved wife, Leveta Edwards Cathey in Depew, OK. Together they celebrated over 60 wonderful years of marriage.

He served as a Minister, spreading the Word of God, for several churches throughout the country until his retirement. He was responsible for founding the Hollywood Free Will Baptist Church in Hollywood, FL. While ministering in Delaware, he taught Bible class to the inmates at the local correctional facility on a weekly basis, and also visited patients in the nursing center, sharing the Word of God, with them. He also went on a missionary trip to Venezuela.

In 1975, he was in a tragic tobogganing accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. With his strong faith and the support of his family, he continued to live his life as if he had no barriers at all. He was a member of the American Legion Post 255 in Ridge, MD and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Association (PVA).

His hobbies included fishing, gardening, reading and learning Spanish and Latin. He enjoyed family vacations to the beaches of North Carolina. He also enjoyed vacationing in Bermuda, California, Grand Canyon; and fishing trips to Canada with his buddies. His greatest love was for his family, whom he set a remarkable example of how to live life to the fullest. He taught them the power of love, how to garden, fish, use tools, and believe in themselves.

In addition to his beloved wife, Bill is also survived by his children, Norma Jean Blasher of Oakland, MD and Edd Cathey (Jennifer) of Great Mills, MD; his siblings, James Cathey, Fred Cathey, Frances Laird and Betty Sill; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his son-in-law, James Blasher, and brother, Lawrence Cathey.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Grace and Peace Presbyterian Church, 22646 Benswood Road, California, MD 20619. A Funeral Service will be officiated by Pastor Stephen Doe at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date at Maryland Veteran's Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Grace and Peace Presbyterian Church, Mortgage Fund, 22646 Benswood Road, California, MD 20619. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.