Drew McClay, 92 of 8751 U.S. 23 South, Ossineke, passed away at home on Monday, December 3, 2007.
Drew was born September 4, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late William and Ethel (Peabody) McClay. He graduated from Olney High School in that city, was active in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Life Scout. Drew subsequently attended the Pierce School of Business Administration. On January 27, 1938, Drew McClay and Ethel Raber also of Philadelphia were married in Locust Grove, Maryland. Although qualified to become a Certified Public Accountant, he became interested in radio broadcasting, studied for and became a licensed radio operator, served in the Maritime Service during World War II, and later found employment in radio broadcasting.
He became acquainted with Les Biederman who was the Chief Engineer at the radio station where he worked, and who was formulating plans to build and operate his own radio station. In 1939, Biederman, McClay, and a friend, William Kiker formed a small corporation later known as the Midwestem Broadcasting Company. They conducted surveys of the areas of the United States that had inadequate radio coverage and found such a place in northern Michigan. The three directed their attentions to that area.
Two and one half years later, in January 1941, after much planning, some hard work, and waiting for the Federal Communications Commission permission, they put WTCM radio on the air in Traverse City, Michigan. For the first time residents of the Grand Traverse Region were able to hear static-free radio broadcasts from their own local radio station. Biederman, Kiker, and McClay had left Philadelphia and now were permanent Michigan residents.
The small company proposed and subsequently built radio stations in Cadillac, Petoskey, Gaylord, and Alpena, and TV stations in Cheboygan and Traverse City.
Drew McClay, wife Ethel, and son William moved from Traverse City to Alpena in November 1946, when WATZ-AM went on the air, as the "Pioneer Voice of Northeastern Michigan. Later, higher-powered WATZ-FM was added with separate programming. Alpena and the surrounding counties now also had greatly improved radio reception with network and local programs. Drew served as manger of WATZ for 28 years from 1946 until his retirement in 1974.
His wife Ethel survives him and still resides at the family home in Ossineke. Also surviving are his son William (Sigrid) McClay of Eagle, four grandchildren, Diane McClay (Stevenson, WA), Deborah (Michael) Case (Flint, MI), Heather (Mark) Knipp (Shelby, OH), Kaye Roose (Shelby, OH), and eight great-grand children. Drew was preceded in death by his daughter Doreen, and his sister Beatrice.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Monday, December 17 at 2:00 P.M. Arrangements are being handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Hospice of Michigan or Thunderhead District, Boy Scouts of America, 1492 Hobbs Dr., Alpena, MI 49707.
