Sylvan Lee McWilliams of Pittsburg, Kansas passed away June 8, 2026, peacefully at Comfort Care in Pittsburg with his wife of 34 years, Cynthia Triplett, by his side. Sylvan was born March 30, 1943, in Pittsburg, Kansas as the only son of Glenn Howard and Vivian Irene (Owens) McWilliams and was known throughout his adult life to friends and family as Mac.

Sylvan graduated from College High Laboratory School in Pittsburg in 1962 and in July 1962 joined the United States Army. During service in the Army, he trained in computer operations and was an instructor in electronics and telephone equipment at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. He discharged from the Army in January 1968 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served on the augmentation team for microwave installation at Fuji Air Base, Japan then as Supervisor of communication switching equipment at Nha Trang, Viet Nam. Sylvan honorably discharged from the Air Force in Jan. 1972.

Mac worked as a computer switching systems instructor for Stromberg-Carlson in Rochester, NJ, followed by ten years from 1975 through 1985 as Senior Telephone Engineer for Anchorage Telephone Utility in Anchorage, Alaska. During his residency in Alaska, he was a member of the Army National Guard. Following completion of the Alaska Pipeline construction he became certified as a real estate appraiser in Anchorage, then returned to the lower 48 where he was employed in voice/data management for the State of Kansas, State of Missouri and the Wichita Public Schools.

Mac was an avid competitive shooter, competing across the US and served on the boards of directors of Rochester Brooks Shooting Club in Rochester, NY and of Isaac-Walton Gun Club in Anchorage Alaska and lead several competitive shooting teams while serving with the Alaska Army National Guard. Mac additionally was a highly skilled wood worker, hand-crafting the remodeling the family residence in Wichita with custom cabinetry and built-in fixtures.

In 2007, Sylvan retired with his wife to Pittsburg, where he had been preceded in death by his mother Vivian McWilliams. His wife continues in residence at the home. Sylvan has three daughters Joann, Karen and Laura.

Cremation has taken place. A private service is planned at the home with immediate family. A private burial will take place at Fort Scott National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St. Pittsburg, KS 66762.