Lt. Col. George W. "Bill" McClure, Jr. (US Army Retired) passed away on April 28, 2015 in Round Rock, Texas after a lengthy illness. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Johnson City Masonic Cemetery under the auspices of the United States Army Honor Guard.

Bill was born to George W. and Roberta P. McClure on August 7, 1926 in Monmouth, Illinois. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corp in August, 1944 and served his country with distinction until his retirement in September 1974 in various command, staff and teaching positions in the U.S., Korea, Germany, France, Panama Canal Zone, and Republic of Vietnam. He earned numerous decorations including the Bronze Star Medal (for valor and additional commendations). In Korea, he served under his father, Col. George W. McClure from July, 1950 to March, 1951 in the 7th Inf. Div. Arty. He was proud of being one of the "Chosin Few"- named for the soldiers who fought at the battle at Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

Bill was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas. He married Mary Jane Deering in Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1952 and the couple retired to Austin in 1974. During his retirement, Bill enjoyed spending time at his Blanco, Texas ranch. He was an avid collector of Indian artifacts and archeological relics. He stayed active in the Association of U.S. Army, the Military Order of World Wars, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Retired Officers Association, the National Rifle Association, the Masonic Lodge, and St. Matthews Episcopal Church.

Bill is preceded in death by parents Col. George W. McClure and Roberta P. McClure, wife Mary Jane Deering McClure, and sisters Martha Jean McClure Bartow and Patricia Ann McClure Bitter. Bill is survived by brother-in-law C. J. Bitter of Cedar Hill, TX; nieces Elizabeth Bitter Heiligmann and husband Howard of Georgetown, TX., and Roberta Bartow Matthews and husband Paul of Memphis, TN; nephews James Bitter and wife Linda of Adkins, TX, David Bitter and wife Sharon of Double Oak, TX, William Bartow and wife Sharon of Houston, TX, and Pierrepont Bartow of Klamath Falls, OR; and multiple grand-nieces and one grand-nephew.

The family would like to thank caregivers Dorothy Schuler and Suzanne Hedrick for their excellent loving care of Bill during his last years. The family requests that memorial donations be made to PatriotPaws.org in Rockwall, TX or the Alzheimer's Association.