Appreciate all the helpful info.
Based on the comments here, I have (with my father's strong urging) decided to try the safer approach of having an online computer (iMac) and an offline computer (MacBook) and follow the instructions posted here
https://bitcoinelectrum.com/how-to-spend-from-an-offline-paper-wallet-using-electrum/ as earlier referenced by hosemary. This is similar to the same type of approach/process recommended by LoyceV but without the LINUX stuff since I am on MacOS and not on Windows/PC.
But both LoyceV and the directions posted at bitcoinelectrum.com refer to "the transaction" and I do not know what that means.
Online:Install Electrum on your PC.
Import your address to create a watch-only wallet.
Preview the transaction, Copy the unsigned transaction. Put it on a USB stick.
(WHAT TRANSACTION??)Offline and running without hard drive storage:Get a Linux LIVE DVD. Use Knoppix or
Tails for instance, or any other distribution that comes with Electrum pre-installed.
Unplug your internet cable. Close the curtains. Reboot your computer and start up from that DVD. Don't enter any wireless connection password. Keep it offline.
Start Electrum. Import your private key.
Copy your unsigned transaction from the USB stick, load it into Electrum.
CHECK the transaction in Electrum. Check the fees, check the amount, check all destination addresses (
character by character).
If all is okay, sign the transaction. Copy it back to your USB stick.
Turn off the computer. That wipes the Live LINUX from memory and all traces are gone.
Online:Use your normal online Electrum to (check again and) broadcast the transaction.
(I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS.)Bonus:After moving all your Bitcoin, and once the transaction confirmed, check if you own
Forkcoins.
In the bitcoinelectrum.com instructions is says:
• On the ONLINE system create a watch-only wallet with the address of the paper wallet. (OK, done)
• On the OFFLINE system create an imported private key wallet using the paper wallet's private key. (Easy enough, so far so good)
• On the ONLINE system go to the "Send" tab and enter the payee's details and the amount you want to send them
(THIS IS WHERE I GET LOST... WHAT IS THIS??) Click on "Pay" and then "Advanced" to view the unsigned transaction.
(WHAT TRANSACTION?? WHAT AM I SENDING TO WHO??)• Set a suitable fee and click on "Finalize" then click on "Export" to save it to a removable drive.
• On the OFFLINE system go to Tools menu > load transaction > from file, and load the unsigned transaction. Click on "Sign" and then export the signed transaction back to the removable drive.
• On the ONLINE system, load the signed transaction using Tools menu > load transaction > from file, and click on "Broadcast".
So as complicated as this friggin mess is, I'm sure I can muddle thru, but I have no idea about how making a WATCH-ONLY WALLET in the online system has anything to do with creating a "live/spend wallet" on the offline system but then "Send" BTC to myself thru "The Transaction"?? This is why I just wanted to scan the Private Key QR code on my dad's iPhone and be done with it.