About Us
The story of the Magee family—their struggles, near-breaking, and ultimate journey to healing—is powerfully told in David Magee’s bestselling memoir Dear William. Their path to recovery and joy is the driving force behind the mission of The Magee Foundation.
At one point, the Magee family of five had nearly lost everything to mental illness and addiction. David, the father, along with sons William and Hudson, battled substance use disorder (SUD), while daughter Mary Halley faced an eating disorder (ED). William, the eldest, was a gifted honors student and track athlete at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), but tragically died of an accidental drug overdose at age 23. Just a year earlier, Hudson had nearly lost his life to an overdose at a fraternity house on the same campus—he was resuscitated in the emergency room and, after two days in a coma, began his recovery journey at age 20. Mary Halley struggled with an eating disorder during high school and college, but found recovery through counseling and support.
Our Story
Amid these struggles, David lost his career and self-worth to addiction, and he and his wife, Kent, divorced. Yet through his own recovery, he rebuilt his life—and his marriage. Today, David and Kent are reunited, grandparents to six, and a testament to the power of family healing. Their story fuels the heart and purpose of The Magee Foundation’s work.
They believe that the tools and knowledge needed to help students, families, and communities flourish exist—but too often, the right information and support don’t reach those who need them most. Having overcome incredible odds as individuals and as a family, they know that recovery is possible for anyone.
For more than a decade, their work built upon vulnerability, education and support has helped change—and even save—many lives throughout the country.
Our People
CEO
DAVID
MAGEE
A bestselling author, podcast host and inspirational speaker, David has devoted more than seven years to this mission of youth and family substance use abatement and mental health healing. David's memoir Dear William, in development as a feature film, has reached thousands nationwide, sparking conversations about addiction and recovery. He founded the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education at the University of Mississippi, a pioneering initiative that grew from a newspaper column he wrote that reached more than one million readers.
David also helped create the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi, a research institute likewise named for his late son. Together, these efforts — combined with David's advocacy have helped him directly serve 75,000 students through prevention programming across the country.
BOARD MEMBER
KENT
MAGEE
Kent Magee is a yoga instructor and a volunteer yoga for addiction leader. She taught her first yoga class on the day her oldest son, William, was found dead of an accidental drug overdose, and later started Mississippi’s first Y12SR 12-step yoga for addiction program to help others. She helped create the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education at the University of Mississippi, named after her late son, and serves on the advisory board.
Kent has held committee leadership positions in her church, Oxford-University United Methodist Church, and with the University of Mississippi Museum Friends of the Museum and its annual Harvest Supper.