TIFTON – A Yulee, Florida resident, who sought refuge in Tifton after fleeing Hurricane Matthew, died Thursday.

William Meech, 45, collapsed at Wal-Mart while there with his family. He was taken to Tift Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Meech and his wife, Kara, along with their three daughters, had been forced to evacuate due to Hurricane Matthew. The family has been staying with friends in the Tiftarea.

Kara Meech said her husband died after an aneurism he had ruptured.

Meech was a veteran, and had served in the Navy on board the USS Missouri as a gunner’s mate. He was one of the last to serve on the Missouri before it was decommissioned, something he was very proud of, according to his wife.

The Meech family is in need of financial assistance during this difficult time. If anyone would like to contribute, they are asked to send donations to Brookfield Baptist Church at P.O. Box 85, Brookfield GA 31727. Please mark the donation as being for the Meech family.