Bill McCutcheon trades city skyscrapers for shade trees

Bill and Liz McCutcheon both are accomplished artists. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – After living in Los Angeles and New Orleans, William ‘Bill’ McCutcheon left that hectic lifestyle in 1987 for a relaxing change of pace in Madison.

He was seeking “a quiet town without tall buildings surrounded by concrete. I wanted a good-sized yard with room for flowerbeds, plantings and shade trees. I found it in Madison, just a short distance from downtown and with little commercial development.”

Over the years, McCutcheon has watched Madison “grow into a popular community with retail convenience and community services that continue to remain progressive without becoming an excessive tax burden to the populace.”

In addition, he saw the police department grow from what’s now Main Street Cafe to its current location in City Hall and the fire department expand to serve all parts of Madison — “all with little noticeable growing pains,” he said. “Much of the credit goes to city government.”

“That’s the great thing about Madison … With all its growth, it has been controlled and professionally handled with little to no negative impacts,” McCutcheon said. “We have public parks providing recreation, Madison Arts Council to support the community’s cultural needs, and we have constant road improvements to support the community’s growth.”

“Lastly, I’ve been fortunate to have great neighbors all the past 29 years,” McCutcheon said.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, McCutcheon grew up in Huntington Beach on Long Island. He graduated from the University of South Mississippi.

“I moved to Huntsville in 1969 from New Orleans to begin working with Boeing. Huntsville became too busy for a country boy. I found Madison ideal for me.” McCutcheon retired from Lockheed-Martin in 1998. His career in aerospace involved work with the Saturn IB, Saturn V, NASA and military programs.

He and wife Liz have three children: Keith of Sula, Mont., Beth of Huntsville and Barbara of Toney. The McCutcheons’ grandchildren are Liza of Huntsville and Caitlyn of Madison.

He formerly volunteered with Little League and Boy Scouts. He now supports Native American and cancer charities.

Currently, they have two cats, Susu and Cookie.

“I enjoy classical and country music from Beethoven to Waylon and Willie,” he said. “Dining out is a favorite pastime for Liz and me. The list includes Outback, Applebee’s, Bento Box, CD’s, Golden China, La Chapala and La Mangia.”