Bill McInnis, 81, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at his home. A lifelong resident of Brown County, Bill was born July 28, 1943, in Brownwood, Texas, to Claude and Lillie Mae McInnis. He attended school in Williams and May and was a 1961 graduate of May High School. Following graduation, he attended Texas Tech University, where he was the president of the Block and Bridle Club. Bill graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Animal Science in 1965, and immediately started a professional cattle fitting service, where he traveled across the nation exhibiting cattle.
In 1969, Bill and his father, Claude, formed McInnis Cattle Company, a registered Hereford operation. In 1973, while showing bulls at the Southwestern Livestock Show in El Paso, he met his future wife, Jessica Gearhart. They married the same year on his birthday and celebrated 51 years of marriage this past summer.
Bill was a farmer and rancher and was known by all as a hard worker. He loved to tell stories and poke fun at his friends. If he didn’t make fun of you, or give you a nickname, you knew he didn’t like you. He loved good livestock, his family, and to entertain.
Bill was a member of the Texas Hereford Association, American Hereford Association, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He was a Director and member of the Executive Committee for the Texas Hereford Association, and had the privilege to serve as a classifier and judge at various Texas shows. Bill was a member of Central United Methodist Church for over 40 years.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Claudette Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, and children, Ben McInnis and wife, Rachel, of May, and Rachel Myers and husband, Scott, of Claude. Bill was proud of his ranching roots in Brown County, on land that has been in his family since 1857, but more importantly, that his family legacy will continue with his five grandsons, Levi, Ty, and Tanner McInnis, and Brooks and Reece Myers.
Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Valley Cemetery on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts can be made to Bloys Campmeeting Association, Attn: Angela Becker, 6 Desta Drive, Suite 2670, Midland, Texas 79705, or your favorite charity.