The Right Reverend William McClean, Jr.

The Rt. Reverend William McClean, Jr., affectionately known simply as “Bishop,” died peacefully at home on August 26, 2026, at the age of 86. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, veteran, public servant, priest, bishop, and friend, he will be remembered for his unwavering faith, generous spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable life.

William was born on July 12, 1940, in Belfast, Ireland, the son of the late William McClean, Sr. and Agnes McClean. He was preceded in death by his brother, George McClean of Belfast, and by his beloved wife, Barbara Lorraine McClean, who died on December 17, 2013.
Bill grew up in Waterford, New York, and graduated from Waterford High School in 1959. His senior caption in the yearbook read, “Most likely to be a clergyman”—a remarkably prophetic description of the calling that would eventually become the center of his life.

William proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967. His military service began with boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, followed by an assignment to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He later served at the Naval Photographic Center at Anacostia Naval Air Station in Washington, D.C., where he worked as a motion picture film editor and contributed to the production of newsreels, combat documentation, and training films.

On August 24, 1968, at Grace Episcopal Church in Waterford, New York, William married the love of his life, Barbara Lorraine. Together they built a life centered upon family, faith, service, and love. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Mary Kathleen McClean-Brady (Dennis) of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and Matthew George McClean (Sheila) of California, Maryland.

Following his honorable military service, William began a career with the Federal Government at the Naval Research Laboratory in Southwest Washington, D.C. In 1979, a promotion brought him to the Naval Ordnance Station in Indian Head, Maryland. He faithfully served the Federal Government until his retirement in 1995.

While pursuing his federal career, William continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree from Bowie State University in June 1983. By then, the calling first hinted at in his high school yearbook had become a profound vocation.

He was ordained a Deacon on November 19, 1983, by the late Bishop William deJarnett Rutherfoord and was ordained a Priest on September 22, 1984, also by Bishop Rutherfoord. In September 2024, he celebrated the extraordinary milestone of the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Father McClean served as Rector of St. George’s Anglican Catholic Church from 1984 until 1992. In 1992, he became Rector of St. Anne’s Anglican Catholic Church, a parish he would faithfully serve for more than three decades, until 2025.
From 2002 to 2003, he also served as Archdeacon to Bishop Harry D. Scott III.

On March 15, 2003, William was ordained and consecrated a bishop and became the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States of the Anglican Catholic Church. He was consecrated by the late Most Reverend Brother John-Charles, FODC, then Metropolitan of the Original Province of the Anglican Catholic Church. Bishop McClean served the Diocese until his retirement as diocesan bishop in June 2013. Retirement from that office, however, did not mean retirement from his ministry. He continued to serve the Church and the people entrusted to his care for many years afterward.

For Bishop McClean, ministry was never simply an office or title. His faith was a defining part of who he was, and throughout his life he sought to serve God by serving others.

He is survived by his children, Mary Kathleen McClean-Brady (Dennis) and Matthew George McClean (Sheila); his sister, Florence Petruska of Waterford, New York; and his grandchildren, Christopher Andujar, Jackson McClean, and Lucas McClean.

He was enormously proud of his grandchildren and shared an especially precious bond with Christopher. The two were truly inseparable. Their relationship was filled with love, laughter, shared experiences, and the special understanding that can exist between a grandfather and grandson. Chris was not only his grandson but one of his greatest joys, and the love between them was evident to everyone privileged to witness it. The memories they created together will forever be treasured.

While “Bishop” was a title bestowed upon him by the Church, to those who knew and loved him he was also Dad, Pops, Pop Pop, Brother, Uncle, and friend.

Bill enjoyed life and knew how to have a good laugh. He especially loved spending time with his “Breakfast Group” at Bob Evans, where many Wednesday mornings were filled with friendship, conversation, storytelling, and plenty of laughter.

An avid reader, he took great pride in his enormous collection of books. He loved gardening and delighted in raising his chickens, whom he affectionately called “The Girls.” He had a special passion for trains, enjoyed word-search puzzles—often accompanied by a glass of wine—and could happily pass the time watching one of his favorite television programs, The Golden Girls.

These simple pleasures reflected much of the man he was curious, humorous, devoted to the people and things he loved, and always able to find joy in the ordinary moments of life.

William McClean served his country, his community, and his Church with distinction. Above all, he loved his family and gave himself generously to the people God placed in his life.

He leaves behind not merely a record of offices held and years served, but a legacy of faith, devotion, humor, friendship, and love in the lives of those who knew him.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. With prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the St. Anne’s Anglican Catholic Church, Charlotte Hall, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM with The Rt. Reverend Jeffrey Johnson, the Rev. Canon Nicholas Athanaelos and the Ven. Michael Weaver officiating. Interment to follow in Charles Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew McClean, Christopher Andujar, Dennis Brady, Stephen Abell, Samuel Slay and Kian Pritchett. Honorary pallbearers are The Vestry at St. Anne’s Anglican Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Anne’s Anglican Catholic Church (P.O. Box 289, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622).

Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.