06/17/2026
As the City of Celina celebrates 150 years of history, we continue to honor the people whose character, service, and dedication helped build the community we know today.
The story of Celina is not simply one of historic buildings or longtime businesses.
It is the story of ordinary people who did the right thing, day after day, until they earned the trust of their neighbors and helped create the community we cherish today.
While buildings and businesses may change, the values that shaped Celina remain the same - hard work, integrity, and a commitment to one another. Few people embodied those qualities more than James Roland "Mac" McIlroy.
In this photograph, Mac stands outside the Chevrolet dealership that generations of Celina families came to trust. Long before online reviews and customer ratings, a person's reputation was built through honesty and earned one handshake at a time. If you bought a vehicle from Mac, you knew you were doing business with someone who stood behind his word.
But Mac's story was about much more than selling cars.
Born in 1924, Mac attended Texas A&M before answering the call to serve his country during World War II. As a member of the 99th Infantry Division, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war's most difficult campaigns, earning both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his courage and sacrifice. Like many of his generation, he returned home not looking for recognition but ready to build a life of service.
After the war, Mac completed his education and met his future wife, Virginia, before the two made Celina their home. He began his career as an agriculture and wood shop teacher, helping young people develop practical skills and a strong work ethic. Those who knew Mac understood that he believed in doing things the right way, taking pride in your work, and treating people with respect. Those values would guide him throughout his life.
He later entered the automotive business, purchasing the Chevrolet dealership in 1957 and operating it for the next 44 years. Located along Preston Road near the present-day site of Fire Station #1 and the 7-Eleven, the dealership became a familiar landmark for residents and visitors alike.
Mac didn't build his reputation by selling automobiles. He built it by keeping his word. The cars and trucks were simply the means through which generations of Celina families came to know and trust him.
For many residents, the dealership was more than a place to buy a car or truck. It was a place where neighbors caught up on local news, friendships were strengthened, and customers became lifelong friends.
Farmers, families, and first-time buyers alike knew they could count on Mac for a fair deal and an honest answer. People returned year after year because they believed in Mac and knew he believed in treating people right. Fairness, honesty, and trust were the foundation of his business and his life.
In many ways, Mac's dealership reflected the spirit of the Celina of its time. Local businesses were more than storefronts - they were gathering places where people looked after one another and shared in the successes and challenges of everyday life. Business owners understood that serving the community was just as important as serving their customers, and Mac was no exception. He helped build the kind of hometown where a good reputation was earned through kindness, consistency, and fairness.
As Celina celebrates its 150th anniversary, Mac McIlroy's story reminds us that a community is built by more than streets and buildings. It is built by veterans who answered their country's call, teachers who invested in future generations, business owners who earned their neighbors' trust, and families who chose to make Celina home.
As Celina looks toward the next 150 years, Mac's legacy reminds us that while our town will continue to grow and change, the values that built it should never be forgotten. Trust earned through service, integrity, and a commitment to one another helped shape Celina's first 150 years, and because of people like Mac McIlroy, those same values continue to guide its future.
