OBITUARY

Billy Joe McDougal

September 20, 1941 – January 22, 2013

Billy Joe “Bill” McDougal was born in Paris, Texas on the 20th of September 1941. He went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the 22nd of January 2013. After 71 wonderful years, Bill went home, as the last refrain of “Amazing Grace,” being sung by his family, echoed down the hall of the hospital.

Bill was the son of Marvin and Dalene McDougal. His grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Hollis McDougal and Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Ward. Also predeceasing Bill was his sister Joy McDougal Smith. Bill is survived by his brother Thomas McDougal and his wife Janet of Dallas, Texas, and his sister Sandra McDougal Bivings and her husband Jay, as well as Joy’s husband, Donald Smith, all of Valliant, Oklahoma.

Bill grew up in Valliant, Oklahoma where he was president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, lettered in baseball and basketball, President of the Valliant FFA, and raised three grand champion Hereford steers for the McCurtain County Fair. Bill was inducted into the Valliant Hall of Fame in 2010. It was also there in Valliant where he met the love of his life, Ann Riddle. They met when they were fifteen years old and married at nineteen, and they spent the next fifty-two and a half years of their lives together.

Bill obtained his Bachelor of Science (’63) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (’65) from Oklahoma State University. After post graduate training in immunology from UT Health Science Center, he became a clinical instructor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. Bill opened his first veterinary clinic in Houston in 1965. He began his specialty in dermatology in 1970. He founded Veterinary Allergy and Dermatology Referral Clinic in 1981 and continually travelled throughout Texas providing specialized dermatology care and treatment. Bill was the past President of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, past President and Life Member of the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association and author and renowned speaker on dermatology at both the state and national levels.

Bill was an avid sportsman; he had forgotten more about deer hunting and saltwater fishing than most have ever known. Bill lived life to its fullest, in part because of the Type I Diabetes that he was diagnosed with at nine years of age. From scuba diving to tennis, from golf to dancing, Bill and Ann embraced life and excelled in everything they did.

Known as “Dadaddy” by his ten grandchildren, beloved “Gezzer” by his hunting and fishing buddies, Bill was an incredible husband, father, grandfather and friend. Bill loved unconditionally, with no strings attached. You were the most important person in the room when he looked at you and his smile brightened the darkest of days.

Bill is survived by his wife Ann, his daughters Julie and her husband Tommy, Dana and her husband Tim, and his son B.J. and his wife Ellen. The grandchildren who were the love of his life are Timothy, Joseph and Emily Kurtin, Sarah, Sam and Stephen Gillaspie, and Kathryn, Bethany, James and Michael McDougal.

Nothing was more important to Bill McDougal than the Lord Jesus Christ. Bill’s entire life was a lesson on love, grace and mercy, and rarely did he ever need to use words. Nothing spoke louder than his love for Ann, how he raised his children, his service to his church and his sacrificial love for his friends. Everyone knew that when the chips were down, there was no friend like Bill McDougal.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Bill during a reception from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 25th of January, by the fireplace at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 8300 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas.

The Memorial Service will be conducted at four o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 26th of January, at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations in Bill's memory may be directed to the Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church Music Fund, 8300 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, 77024.

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Billy Joe McDougal

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Laurie Jones

March 9, 2013

I was so sad to hear of Dr. McDougal's passing. He treated my dog, Harley, for the past 9 years and I believe he is the reason Harley is still with me. I always looked forward to our visits because Dr. McDougal made me feel as good and uplifted as he did my pet. My heart is heavy and he will be missed. Heaven surely now has another Angel!

Harriet Daniell

February 2, 2013

As I am just now receiving this news today about Bill, I am in total shock. I met Bill and Ann in dance class just last summer and they were immediately one of my favorite couples. When Ann commented to me one day they had been married 52 years, I thought surely I mis-heard her and she must have said that she was 52. I have never seen a couple whose love was so apparent in the way they looked at each other ... always a smile, teasing each other, and just genuine love radiating. I asked Ann once what their secret was and she said "we work very hard at playing". And yes, they did. We had so much fun in the same dance classes and Bill was such an example of a true gentleman and Ann gives meaning to the word "lady". Ann, I hope to see you very soon and I am so sorry I did not know. I would have definitely been there for you. "And when someone has enriched your life, When its melody lingers in your heart... Is it unfinished? Or is it endless?"

Ann Strouhal

January 31, 2013

It was a joy and honor to know such a wonderful gentleman – and I do mean “gentle”. What a sweetheart. One of our black labs, Dozer, developed severe skin allergies at an early age. Dr. McDougal worked miracles for Dozer and was so compassionate to us in his guidance and treatments for Dozer. We will truly miss him. Although the Lord has called a great one home, Dr. McDougal has left this world a better place. May he rest in peace. My prayers & sympathies to you, his family. May you always find joy in the memories.

Sherry Kemp

January 30, 2013

Dr. McDougal, my heart is very heavy and sad after learning of your passing. I know that Heaven is now rejoicing with your presence. I was very blessed to have worked with you in the 1980's at Veterinary Allergy and Dermatology Referral Clinic as your veterinary technician. You taught me much about veterinary medicine, life and the Bible. It was amazing to watch you work with your human clients and their pets. You are an awesome veterinarian! Thank you for the memories!
Ann, you are all in my prayers. May God remove your pain and sorrow

Sherry, RVT (Ohio)

January 29, 2013

I went to school with Bill and we played a lot of basket ball and base ball together. I don't know any one that was not a friend of Bill's. I remember the
cushman motor scooter his dad bought him. We were about 14 and 15 yrs.
old and we would ride that scooter up and down the street and side walk in
front of his house where he lived just about a block and a half west of the school house on the north side of the road. The last time I saw Bill was at one of the dedications next to Doc's in and out store.I knew His Wife Ann we road the school bus to school and back when she came to stay with her folks just south of where I lived up on the hill where J W Setzer lived. If all men lived his life like Bill did there would be no more problems in the world.
Jimmy D & Jean Setzer

BOB CECIL

January 28, 2013

BILL WAS THE BEST. I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH OUR TIME IN VALLIANT AND THE CABIN WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP. WHAT GREAT TIMES.

Debra Crapse

January 28, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. Bill "saved" our little chihuahua and our rescue cat when no one else knew what to do. He had a "countenance" about him. He has left a legacy of the Christian Spirit to many. God Bless and Keep you. Reeve's Furniture/Kingwood

Dale Lonsford

January 28, 2013

Bill McDougal was an inspiration to me as I entered the veterinary profession. He always had a smile.You just knew there was something special about him in the way he interacted with you. We never spoke about Christ but Christ shined through his life. I will miss him as will most of the veterinarians in Harris County. We are better for knowing him. Dale Lonsford, DVM

Sheri Moye Hobbs

January 27, 2013

Bill was part of my family growing up and even though I didn't see him often, I always took pride that he was my family. The last time I saw him was at his sister's funeral (Joy Mae). I will miss him. Sheri Moye Hobbs

Rosmary Pence

January 26, 2013

Bill and I spent many hours growing up together, crawdadding in the creek and riding horses. We are cousins and I know my mom Aunt O and Aunt Dalene are with him now and catching up on all the news. Wonderful close family I was so proud to be his cousin. We started first grade together. He would ride the bus home and spend the night at our house. We will all miss him and the great times of the past. We send our love to you, Bill.

IN THE CARE OF

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors
Houston, TX
713-789-3005