Billie George McCallie

Billie George McCallie, known to his family and friends as Bill, passed away on March 28, 2022.  Bill was 87 years old.

            Bill was born in Sayre, Oklahoma, to George and Maggie McCallie.  Bill’s sister, Katherine Hamilton, also had an indelible role in Bill’s upbringing.  Bill lived in Oklahoma and Texas in his early years.  In 1952, Bill married Jerry McCallie, and soon they were the parents of three children – Billie, Clint and Jan.  The young family eventually settled in Perryton, Texas, where Bill and Jerry opened a successful oilfield service business together and worked for many years.  In the 1980s, Bill and Jerry “retired” to a farm in Mena, Arkansas, where they raised cattle and adopted every stray animal in Polk County.  Bill and Jerry were quick learners and hard workers, and those qualities served them well in their many ventures.  Bill and Jerry built a beautiful life, and they were good stewards of what they had.

            Bill was a humble and quiet person, which made his occasional quick-witted one-liners that much more amusing.  Jerry was often the subject of Bill’s wisecracks, to which she would simply respond with two words, delivered in at least three syllables (“Oh Bee-ALL…”).  They were married for 68 years, and most of those were filled with joy.  They weathered the harder times with humor and grace, and Bill and Jerry’s mutual commitment to marriage and family ensured they always came out together on the other side.  Jerry passed away in April of 2021, and Bill was a compassionate caretaker to Jerry in her last few years.

            Bill loved his animals and his farm.  He enjoyed watching sports and was a longtime member of the Cattleman’s Association, Yocana Baptist Church, and the NRA of Mena.  Most of all, Bill was devoted to his family, and they adored him.  Bill will always be the marker by which those who knew him measure a hard day’s work, and he will be forever missed.

            Bill is now reunited with his wife Jerry and son Clint; his parents; his brothers J.H. McCallie, Pete McCallie, Dale McCallie and Jimmie Don McCallie; and his sisters Agnes Gardner and Sue Ella Prather.  Bill is survived by his sister, Katherine Hamilton; his son, Bill McCallie and wife, Missy; daughter, Jan Dear and husband Rusty; and six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  

            The family suggests donations in Bill’s memory to the Yocana Baptist Church of Mena, Arkansas at Box 876 in Mena, Arkansas 71953.

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