Mr. McDonald Gautier III, age 63, a resident of 6268 U.S. Highway 17 North, Washington, N.C., died Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2011, at UHS–Beaufort Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at Old Ford Church of Christ officiated by Eddie Bowen and Thomas Hamilton. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Freddie Griffin, Harry Gautier Jr., Wiley Woolard, Freddie Matkins, Andrew Hardison and Jeffrey Stoop will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Men’s Sunday School Class, Old Ford Ruritan Club and the Elders and Deacons of Old Ford Church of Christ will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Gautier was born in Beaufort County on May 29, 1948, son of Helen Davenport Gautier and the late McDonald “M.C.” Gautier, Jr. On March 31, 1972, he married the former Hilda Gail Hardison. He was self-employed for 30 years as owner/operator of Gautier Welding and Machine Shop. He loved his job welding for businesses and individuals in the area and surrounding counties. Mr. Gautier was a member of Old Ford Church of Christ and served as a deacon, usher and greeter. He was a member of Old Ford Ruritan Club and served as President. Mr. Gautier loved spending time with his family and was known as “Pop” by his grandchildren, whom he cherished dearly.

In addition to his wife, Hilda of the home and his mother, Helen of Washington, he is survived by his children: Jennifer Gautier Mitchell and husband Kevin, Willie McDonald “Will” Gautier and wife Jamie, and Emily Gautier Pake and husband Scott, all of Washington; his grandchildren: Taylor and Caroline Mitchell, Avery and Kathryn Gautier, and Elli and Anna Brey Pake; his sister: Ann Elrod and husband Jim of Belhaven, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by a grandson, Wesley Andrew Gautier.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Paul Funeral Home in Washington and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to SDS/MSA Support Group, 8311 Brier Creek Parkway, Suite 105-434, Raleigh, NC 27617 or Old Ford Church of Christ, 6040 U.S. Highway 17 North, Washington, NC 27889.

You may offer condolences to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Gautier family.