William "Bill" Clay Kalka

William Clay (Bill) Kalka, affectionately known as Grandpa Bill, left this world on Oct. 5,2025, one month shy of his 95 th birthday.

Bill was born on Nov. 16, 1930, in McLean, Texas, to Mina Myrtle Waldrop Kalka and Louis Albert Kalka and he was raised on the family farm.

After high school, Bill was inducted into the Army where he served in the Artillery Division in Germany. His group was the Old 78’s, which was one of General George Patton’s divisions. It consisted of a group of Texans who would become lifelong friends. Bill was in the service until 1953 and was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Before leaving for the service, Bill met Anna Rose Nelson. They corresponded while he was overseas, fell in love and were married in 1953. They lived in McLean and then moved to Turkey, Texas, where he farmed for his favorite uncle. The family then moved to Panhandle, where Bill found a better career opportunity working at Pantex as a security guard. Life then took Bill to Vernon, Texas, in 1982 when he went to work for the Waggoner Ranch as a fence foreman where he stayed until he retired in 1996. Life then came full circle, and he moved back to Panhandle where he lived for the remainder of his life.

Bill was predeceased by Anna Rose and his sons, Monty and Kevin; his parents; his sister, Beatrice; brothers, Leonard, Carrol and Johnny.

He is survived by his daughters, Terri Dellinger of Panhandle, Karen and husband Raul Saenz of Panhandle, Toni and husband Marty Halseth of Round Mountain, Texas, and Nechole and husband Vonnie Hise of Haskell, Texas; and his son, Matt Kalka and fiancée Jessica, of Panhandle; his sister, Dorothy of Gardnerville, Nev.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Bill was a true cowboy who loved to two-step to Bob Wills and was known for his quick wit. He enjoyed a good game of Gin Rummy and watching Jeopardy and The Wheel of Fortune. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Services are pending at this time.