Paul J McVay

Paul J. McVay, 97, of Siloam Springs passed away at his home on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Paul was born on September 2, 1927, in Springfield, Missouri (so he died 12 days short of his 98th birthday). He was the son of Warren McVay and Neva McVay. He married Leila Moore in 1951 in Springfield and they were married for 66 years. She preceded him in death in 2017. Paul attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He joined the Marines in 1946, served honorably for 6 years, and joined the reserves after that. After his service he continued his graduate education in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Tulsa. Paul worked for several aviation companies including McDonald/Douglas, North American/Rockwall and Boeing. He designed parts for several airplanes, the large doors on the Space Shuttle, and parts of the Apollos command and Service Modules that circled the moon.

He was a member of First Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He and Leila worked for the Manna Center for over 25 years. He enjoyed building a cabin on a bluff overlooking the Illinois River, raising a large garden, traveling throughout the United States in his RV, and traveling to various countries.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, four brothers and three sisters. 

He is survived by two sons, Mark (Elvira) McVay of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Keven McVay of Stillwater, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Christopher McVay, David McVay and Raymond McVay; four great grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Spiller and Katherine Hankey; along with other family members and friends. 

A graveside service will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery on Saturday, August 30. 2025 at 10:00am. The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR.