Bill was born on December 14, 1933 in Monroe, Louisiana to Jocey Faye and Robert William McDonald, Sr. His parents divorced when he was an infant and they each remarried and each had four more children making Bill the oldest of eight siblings – five brothers and three sisters. He grew up in Texas with his mother and stepfather. Bill was married to his wife, Judy, for 45 years and they shared a blended family of six children. Bill had a feisty personality, was very hard headed, lived a full and adventurous life, and will be remembered as someone who became friends with everyone he met.
Bill attended Phillips High School in the Texas Panhandle. He excelled in athletics, receiving district and state honors in basketball, track and field, and football. He received athletic scholarships to play football, track and field, and basketball for the University of Houston, Texas Tech University, and Northeast Louisiana State College. He was recruited for the U.S. Olympic track team, but, as the story goes, he missed the plane and was unable to compete. He also played on the U.S. Army basketball team. Beginning in his 30s, he played adult softball, leading many championship teams. Bill played in a senior softball league until he was 80 years old and could no longer run the bases! He played senior softball in tournaments all over the world, including Australia, Austria, Europe, Holland, Japan, and New Zealand.
Bill spent his early career working for Gulf Oil Refinery and later transitioned into an inspector for an engineering firm. He owned multiple businesses over the years, such as a furniture store and a transportation company. He was more famously known for owning Bill McDonald Construction, Inc. in Deer Park, Texas, which started as an asphalt construction company and later turned into a paving and underground utilities construction company. He passionately ran the business until he retired. One of his favorite events was hosting an annual crawfish boil for his customers, friends, and family.
Bill spent many years volunteering in his community. He served two terms as a City Councilman for Deer Park, Texas. He was extremely active in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) for over 50 years, ascending to the position of Lifetime Director. He began his involvement with the HSLR as a member of the Pasadena Go Texan Committee and then founded and led the Deer Park Go Texan Committee. He spent most of his volunteer years serving on the HLSR Junior Swine Auction Committee. Bill and Judy were part of teams that purchased swine at the annual Swine Auction, which included the Grand Champion Swine. Bill passed along his passion for volunteering and supporting agriculture to his children and grandchildren by engaging them in committee activities and sponsoring livestock projects.
Bill loved all things barbeque. Some family favorites were his beef fajitas and steaks – there was nothing better! He formed a barbeque cook team, known as the Hot Knots. The team grew large enough to warrant an 18-wheeler trailer, which he converted into his barbeque pit with a serving counter, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping quarters. His team competed for many years at local barbeque cook-offs where they took home trophies for ribs, brisket, sausage, or chicken, and occasionally chili (with Judy’s recipe!). Their big event each year was competing at the HLSR barbeque cook-off where that 18-wheeler with sleeping quarters came in handy!
Bill was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He spent many years sharing a deer lease with his brothers and going on exotic hunts all over the country. Bill shared his passion for wildlife and the outdoors by including his children and grandchildren in his adventures. Once retired, Bill made his dream of owning a ranch come true. He purchased over 300 acres in West Texas, which he called “The Turkey Roost Ranch”. The ranch was more than just for hunting season, it was a place where he could relax and spend time year-round. The Turkey Roost Ranch was his favorite place to be! He spent many years entertaining family and friends there as often as possible. Even as his health declined he would always find a way to get there!
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Judy McDonald; daughters Marla McDonald, Pamela Hazley (husband John Hazley), and Paula Davis (husband Glen Davis); stepdaughter Shelley Mendoza (husband Daniel Mendoza); grandchildren Kelsey Felio, Jessica Rees, Reed Gordy, Coral Gordy, Joshua McDonald, and Candace McDonald; step-grandchildren Regan Brown and Eric Mendoza; 17 great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and brothers Larry McDonald (wife Jan), Don McDonald (wife Angie), and Ralph Bond (wife Cheryl). He is preceded in death by his parents, Jocey Faye and Russell Bond, and Audrey and Robert William McDonald, Sr.; son Craig McDonald; stepson Robert Gonzales; grandson Derek McDonald; brothers Milton (Toby) Bond and Vander (Gene) Bond; and sisters Mavis Nelson, Jane Beaver, and Jean Wallace.
Please join the family at Bill’s celebration of life on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CDT at Forest Park East Funeral Home (21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598) followed by a graveside burial at Forest Park East Cemetery and lunch at La Brisa Mexican Bar + Grill (501 N Wesley Dr., League City, TX 77573).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0