OBITUARY

Dear Friends and Family, 

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John William McGuffey, our beloved husband, father, and Papaw, on March 24, 2025. Known affectionately as J.W. to his friends and family, he resided in Monroe, Georgia, with Bonnie McGuffey, his wife of over fifty years. J.W. was born on January 23, 1949, in Griffin, Georgia, to Lamar and Francis McGuffey. 

J.W. founded The Wood Butcher, Inc. in 1977. Until his passing, he worked alongside his sons Jason and Brent, his wife Bonnie, and his daughter-in-law Marla, designing and building custom commercial millwork. An artist in every sense, J.W. had a special passion for wood. He found immense joy in gifting his art creations to loved ones, leaving behind a tangible legacy of his talent and generosity. 

J.W. was an outdoorsman at heart. He cherished hunting trips out west with lifelong friends, and in his younger years, enjoyed water and snow skiing. He also loved fishing, zip-lining, horseback riding, and gardening. Whether he was giving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren rides on the Kabota or spending peaceful moments by the river at his North Georgia home, he was happiest in nature. In recent times, he found simple pleasure in sitting outside by his shop, basking in the sun, and listening to the wind and birds. J.W. loved listening to 70s classic rock while working in his workshop, and summertime was never complete without a daily slice of watermelon. 

Travel was a shared passion for J.W. and Bonnie. Recently, they celebrated Valentine’s Day with family at a ranch in Colorado, where J.W. famously rolled in the snow with his horse and flipped his snowmobile. They had planned to explore Yosemite National Park in May and Nova Scotia in August. 

Above all, J.W.’s greatest joy was being a Papaw to his grandchildren Brooke, Nick, Adam, Anderson, and Maisyn, and a Great Papaw to Bridge, Brixx, and Greyson. He was immensely proud of each of them, always offering a listening ear, support, and a spirit of adventure. He was the first in line for after-school pickups and always had a special treat ready. He played an active role in their lives, no matter their age. 

J.W. taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the true meaning of love—to love your wife, to be loved by your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, to cherish your extended family, and to care for your neighbor. The light of Christ shone through his every act of love and kindness, touching countless lives through his generosity, talents, and gifts. He will be profoundly missed. 

J.W. was preceded in death by his parents, Lamar and Francis McGuffey, and his daughter, Tami McGuffey Stevens, grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. James Andrew Goss and Mr. & Mrs. John William McGuffey. 

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughter, Wendy McGuffey Chaloult (and her husband Michael Chaloult); his son, Jason McGuffey (and his fiancé Tanya Morrison); his son, Brent McGuffey (and his wife Marla Malcolm McGuffey); and his beloved grandchildren Brooke McGuffey Schamerhorn (her husband Robbie Schamerhorn), Nicholas Chaloult, Adam McGuffey, Anderson Chaloult, Tori Morrison and Maisyn McGuffey and great-grandchildren Bridge and Brixx Schamerhorn and Greyson Chaloult. J.W. is also survived by a sister, Deborah Eubanks of Griffin and nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation in his name to:

 Juvenile Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Foundation (breakthroughT1D.org) PHP Rob Cosman Foundation - Tools for Veterans (donorbox.or/the-purple-heart-project). Please select “In Memory of” then fill in J.W. McGuffey. The “Recipient name” is Bonnie McGuffey and the “Recipient Email” is BonnieMcGuffey@aol.com. 

Visitation will be held from 11am to 1pm, with Celebration of Life following at 1 pm. Please join us at 9 Oaks Farm, located at 2425 Ga-83 Gate #1, Monroe, GA, 30655, on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.