Billy Gordon Mcclain

BILLY GORDON McCLAIN, 72, of Waco passed away Saturday, March 10, 2001 at a Llano hospital. Funeral services will be at 3:30 PM Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Dr. Scott Walker officiating. Masonic graveside services will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Family visitation will be 6-8 PM Monday at the funeral home. Bill was born on November 3, 1928, in Gholson, to Harold Gordon McClain and Wilma Johnson McClain. He was educated in Waco schools and graduated from Baylor University in 1956 with a BBA degree. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and began his accounting career with the public accounting firm of A. C. Upleger & Co. in 1956. He was also employed in the accounting department of Central Freight Lines, then by Texas Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies, retiring as Chief Financial Officer after 24 years of service in January of 1994. He was married to Billie Allene Cook on March 5, 1949, at Memorial Baptist Church in Waco and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage. Mr. McClain was very active in Masonic affairs. He was a member and Past Master of J. H. Lockwood Lodge #1343, District Deputy Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Texas in 1985, the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies as a 32nd degree KCCH, the Waco York Rite, a Life Member of Karem Shrine Temple, the Royal Order of Jesters, Waco Court #115, past president of the Shrine Cabiri, and an Active Honorary Member of the Director’s Staff unit of the Shrine. He was an active member of many Shrine committees, and had the distinguished honor of serving as Potentate of Karem Shrine Temple in 1982. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Shrine Children’s Hospital in Houston and was currently Treasurer. He was a past president of the Central Texas Chapter of Institute of Management Accountants and was a National Vice President in 1981. He also served numerous civic organizations and was a member of First Baptist Church of Waco. Mr. McClain enjoyed many hobbies, including woodworking and travel. He is survived by his wife, Billie; one daughter Dana McClain Langley and her husband Kenneth Langley of Woodway and two granddaughters Renee Lynn and Sarah Elizabeth Langley of Woodway; also a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Maxine Cook Lewis and Harold Lewis of Woodway. Memorials may be made to the Shrine Children’s Hospital, c/o Karem Temple, 400 Karem Circle, Waco, TX 76712 WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY