Bill Perry Mccaleb

Bill Perry McCaleb, D.V.M., died Wednesday, Aug. 26, in his adopted home of Puyallup, Washington. He was 62. A graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Anson is planned for 10 a.m. Monday.

Bill was born April 2, 1953, in Anson, the fourth of five children born to the late Earl and Vivian Day McCaleb. He attended school there and graduated from Anson High School in 1971 then enrolled at Abilene Christian University where he was a drummer in the Big Purple Marching Band, an experience that made him a lifelong fan of the Big Purple. He earned admission to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine after just three years at ACU and enrolled after his junior year, graduating first in his veterinary class in 1977.

Top honors at A&M earned him a fellowship in small animal surgery at a prestigious veterinary hospital in Southern California where he practiced for several years.

During his years in California, Bill nurtured a love of film that continued throughout his life. He often created custom tapes of music for his siblings and humorous films for family holidays, once persuading the head of MGM Studios to allow him to use the roaring MGM lion at the conclusion of one of his creations. He doted from afar on nieces and nephews often making handcrafted gifts and weaving elaborate tales to entertain them. His veterinary practice often included the pets of Hollywood celebrities and he entertained family with stories of friendships that grew out of those relationships.

Family brought him back to Texas, to San Antonio and then to Abilene, where he practiced with Dr. Mark Leavell. After several years here he returned to California and ultimately to Washington state where he owned his own clinic in Snohomish, north of Seattle. There, and everywhere he practiced, he built a large and loyal clientele who appreciated his professional skill, compassion and sense of humor.

Bill’s only son, Sam, was the greatest treasure of his life. After health problems required that Bill sell his practice and clinic, he remained in the Seattle area to be with Sam, who also plays drums in his high school band, which delighted Bill.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews. He is survived by his son, Sam, of Seattle; by two brothers, Dr. Gary D. McCaleb and wife Sylvia of Abilene and Dr. Joe McCaleb and wife Joyce of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia; by two sisters, Mary Powell and her husband Bishop of Abilene, and Victoria Wade and her husband Gary of Nashville; and by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He is also survived by dear friends Betty and Jerry Simpson of University Place, Washington, to whom Bill’s Texas family is indebted for their kindness and care.

Those wishing to honor Bill’s life with a memorial gift may do so with a donation to the Big Purple Marching Band at Abilene Christian University.