The Province of the United States of America recommends to our fraternal prayers our dear brother, WILLIAM MCCALL, who died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on July 9, 2008, in Cupertino, California, in the 82^nd  year of his age and the 52^nd  year of his religious profession.

Bro. Bill was born in Camas, Idaho, on September 10, 1926, to William and Sarah (Byrnes) McCall. He spent his youth in various cities, including Butte, Montana, and Greenleaf, Idaho, where he attended grade school, and Wilder and Caldwell, Idaho, and Los Angeles, where he attended middle and high school. In 1943, after completing his junior year of high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in DeLand, Florida. His duties included aviation ordinance and servicing aircraft machine guns, cannons and bombs. He earned the rank of Aviation Ordinanceman, Second Class, when he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.

Upon his return from the service, Bro. Bill completed high school at Metropolitan High  in Los Angeles and entered college on the G.I. Bill at Loyola University in Los Angeles. He graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a minor in philosophy. He earned a master’s degree in English literature from Loyola in 1959.

Bro. Bill was 28 years old and working as a sales trainee at a floor coverings company in Los Angeles when he discerned a call to serve God. An assistant pastor at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Los Angeles counseled Bill toward the Society of Mary. He entered the novitiate in 1955 at Santa Cruz, California, and professed first vows in 1956 at Santa Cruz. Bro. Bill professed perpetual vows in 1960 in San Francisco.  

In addition to his love for God and the brotherhood, Bro. Bill had three passions: English literature, speech and debate, and the great outdoors. He brought his enthusiasm for these areas into the classrooms where he taught for over three decades.

Bro. Bill spent most of his teaching career at Chaminade College Preparatory at Canoga Park and West Hills, California, where he taught for 22 years and served as president for fours years (1982-1986). He also taught at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, and Saint Louis School and Chaminade University in Honolulu.

He was well-liked by his students and connected with them through activities he championed. Bro. Bill helped develop the popularity of speech and debate at the schools where he ministered.

One his greatest legacies, however, was the High Sierra Mountaineering Program he created for students at Chaminade and later at Archbishop Mitty. Bro. Bill led weeklong hikes for students into the High Sierra Mountains of California, where they could experience the beauty of nature and a closeness to God. He also taught the students how to be self sufficient in the outdoors.

Bro. Frank Spaeth frequently assisted Bro. Bill on the trips. “He had a wonderful rapport with the students,” said Bro. Frank. “He had a great influence on a number of students for over 20 years. He was always very positive and carefully trained the students to be in the outdoors.”

Fr. Ted Ley, another fellow hiker, said most of Bro. Bill’s friends called him “Chief,” a term Bill always used to address people when saying hello. They also referred to him as “Big Bill” which was in reference to a country western song he liked called “Big John.” Fr. Ted said their hiking group created a parody of the song, which he enjoyed being recited to him as they hiked. “Bill really knew the High Sierras and outdoor minimalist camping skills. His High Sierra troop was legendary throughout the West Valley area of Los Angeles,” said Fr. Ted.

Frank Fanger, a former Marianist, remembers many incredible backpacking experiences in the Sierras with Bro. Bill and the Chaminade students. “Bill would always say ‘this is worthy …the essence of the Gods,’” said Frank.

Bro. Bill also was highly regarded as a teacher of English literature. He loved classic literature and was particularly fond of the Roman philosophers. His love of poetry and the English language made a lasting impression with his students. “Many former students ask about him,” said Fr. John McEnhill, who worked at Chaminade with Bro. Bill. “They reminisce about his class and his love of the English language and its history.”

As an administrator, Bro. Bill carried Chaminade College Preparatory through one of its most challenging times due to many organizational changes being implemented, according to Fr. John. Current Chaminade President Jim Adams calls Bro. Bill a founder of the school, noting that he served for decades as a teacher, moderator, president and, most recently, as an associate in the school’s alumni office. “Bro. Bill didn’t say much about himself, and I learned mostly by watching him work and listening to the many alums who lovingly share his story,” said Jim Adams. “He was a tough, no-nonsense person. Beneath the sometimes crusty exterior, beat the heart of a man who loved to teach, loved his students and loved being a brother. He will always be one of my heroes.”

Bro. Bill is remembered by many as a quiet, deeply religious man. He was concerned about social justice issues and the plight of minorities in America. Bill had a great appreciation for ecological and animal protection concerns and was always aware of those with special needs, whether medical or material.

May he rest in peace.