82R737 JH-D
By: Patrick H.R. No. 406
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an admired athlete, business
professional, and family man drew to a close with the passing of
William McClellan of Arlington on June 25, 2010, at the age of 70;
and
WHEREAS, "Mike" McClellan was born and raised in Stamford and
first gained widespread acclaim in sports while a student at
Stamford High School in the mid-1950s; playing for legendary
football coach Gordon Wood, Mr. McClellan was an all-state and
all-American running back and a key part of the Stamford teams that
claimed back-to-back state titles in 1955 and 1956; his gridiron
accomplishments were later recognized with his induction into the
Texas High School Football Hall of Fame and the Gordon Wood Hall of
Champions; he also excelled in track and field events, winning
numerous individual state titles as a sprinter and long jumper and
helping his team win the state title in 1957; and
WHEREAS, After attending Baylor University for a year, he
transferred to the University of Oklahoma and played football for
the Sooners from 1959 until 1961; a member of the defensive
secondary as well as a halfback, he was the hero of the 1961
showdown between Oklahoma and Army played in Yankee Stadium,
running 74 yards for a touchdown to help his team notch an upset
victory; this determined young man proved his abilities in the
classroom as well, winning academic all-Big 8 and academic
all-American honors, and he graduated from the university in 1963;
and
WHEREAS, Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers while in his
junior year at Oklahoma, he was later traded to Philadelphia and
played cornerback for the Eagles for two seasons before concluding
his NFL career; in 1964, he joined the armed forces and served his
nation as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army; during this period, he and
his wife, Nancilu, were married, and they later had the pleasure of
seeing their family grow to include a daughter and three
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McClellan worked for Mobil Oil for a time and
then established a notable career as a real estate appraiser and
consultant that spanned more than 30 years; he became a respected
member of his profession, providing valuation testimony in court
trials, authoring articles for trade journals, and mentoring many
trainees in the field; he was prominent in the Dallas-area chapter
of the Appraisal Institute and the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the
International Right of Way Association, serving as president of
both organizations; and
WHEREAS, Through talent, hard work, and an enduring
commitment to excellence, Mike McClellan attained success in a
range of pursuits and established a rewarding life that was rich in
family and friends, and memories of his accomplishments will be a
continuing source of inspiration for all who knew him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William McClellan and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife
of 46 years, Nancilu McClellan; to his daughter, Alison Balcombe,
and her husband, Jeff; to his grandchildren, Kaitlin, Trenton, and
Maegan; to his sisters, Mary Wootan and her husband, Lesley, and Pam
Cox and her husband, Tim; and to his other relatives and friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day it do so in memory of William
McClellan.