Notice regarding Donald McGriff
Dear Colleagues,
With a heavy heart I share the sad news that Donald McGriff, a longtime employee of Residence Life Housekeeping and more recently Building Services, passed away on May 10, 2021.
Donald was employed here at William & Mary for more than 27 years. During that time, he worked in nearly every residence hall on campus, specializing in floor care. He was an instantly recognizable figure to generations of students, who knew him as a happy, outgoing person who could always make them laugh with stories about good food, good music and good company. As an ambassador of William & Mary, he represented the best of our staff members.
Donald was born on Aug. 1, 1946, in Daytona Beach, Florida, to the late Willie and Mary McGriff. He attended Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1964 from Bruton Heights School, where he played on the basketball and football teams. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 12, 1967. Upon returning to Williamsburg, Donald worked several jobs, from being a waiter at the Williamsburg Inn to working as a security guard at the Cheatham Annex Naval Base before joining William & Mary.
Donald was a father of nine children, and his family extended to include a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, additional relatives and many friends. He was reunited in his passing with his parents, sister Gloria Jean McGriff and grandmother Gracie Smith, on Monday, May 10, 2021. A funeral service was held Monday, May 17, 2021, in Whiting’s Funeral Home. Interment with military honors followed in Cedar Grove cemetery. We extend condolences to Don’s family and friends.
Sincerely,
Amy Sebring
Chief Operating Officer