William Edward "Pili" McGrath's Obituary
Obituary of William “Pili” Edward McGrath
We would like to announce the passing of William “Pili” Edward McGrath, beloved husband and father. William passed away peacefully in his sleep after an acute illness on January 21, 2025, surrounded by family at his home in Waiehu. He was 77 years old. He was born July 02, 1947 in Rochester, Minnesota, to Max and Darlene McGrath.
He graduated from Chicago State University with a Master of Science in Corrections and Criminal Justice. He worked as a probation officer in Cook County, Illinois providing service to underprivileged communities in south side Chicago. He moved to Hawai’i where he attended the Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai’i and received his Juris Doctor in 1989. While working towards his Juris Doctor he was employed as a law clerk in the Truk islands of Micronesia. After receiving his degree he worked as a Deputy Public Defender at the Honolulu Public Defender’s Office. In 1997, he and his wife moved to Maui and started their family. He continued his career as a Deputy Public Defender at the Maui Public Defender’s Office, eventually being promoted to head Public Defender until his retirement in 2019.
He was passionate about reading, enjoying good cuisine, watching the ocean, and exploring nature. In his younger years he was an avid traveller, scuba diver, and kayaker. He appreciated different cultures and spent years studying the cultures of the Pacific Islands, especially that of Samoa. While in Samoa, he was bestowed the name “Pili”.
He is predeceased by his parents and his younger brother Michael McGrath. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Suwan McGrath; his daughter, Fiona McGrath; and his son, Max McGrath. He is also survived by his younger brothers Stephen (Sue) McGrath of Colorado and Kevin McGrath of Minnesota; and younger sister, Ann McGrath of California.
He will be sorely missed. A short service will be held on Sunday February 02, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Saint Ann’s Church in Waihe’e.
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