One more celebration....

Bill's last birthday celebration was on Sunday the 30th. The Branch members wanted to have a mingle after church to honor him. We bought Winger's sticky fingers, Bill's favorite, for the mingle. I got a cake at Costco that said "Over the Hill....Happy Birthday President McNabb." He tried to tell them they couldn't have a mingle but that didn't go over too well. While everyone was eating, I gave a slide presentation entitled " President McNabb, this is your life!" I thought it would be fun for the Branch members to hear stories about him growing up. Here are some of the pictures and stories......







Bill was born January 29, 1959. When he wa a newborn, he was

very sick and didn't want to eat. He was losing weight and the doctor didn't know why. One day his grandmother said, "I think he has a hernia." Joy took him to the doctor and asked the doctor to check it out and sure enough that was the problem. He had surgery and has been healthy ever since.




Bill has always loved sports. The first organized sport he played was little league baseball.

Bill did 4-H as a boy. He always had to care for a sheep and show it at the fair. It wasn't his favorite thing to do, but he learned how to work hard and care for animals. It also kept him out of mischief.

Bill earned his Eagle Scout award a year before he was old enough to be presented the award. He had worked on all of the merit badges with John and then had to wait until he was old enough to be presented with his Eagle Scout.

Bill has always loved to ride horses. When he was in high school, the sheepherder that worked for his dad was afraid to stay alone at night. Bill would get home from practice after school, jump on his horse and ride back into the meadows to stay with the sheepherder. Then he would have to get up early to ride the hour back home so he could get to school on time. He loved every minute of it.

Bill was so happy when he was finally in high school so he could play football. As a freshman, he only weighed 98 lbs. What he lacked in size, he made up with hard work and determination. He started his junior and senior years and was awarded the "athlete of the year" award as a senior.

Bill also played basketball for the Marsh Valley Eagles all 4 years of high school.

Bill ran the hurdles in track and qualified for state in them as a senior.

Here is his handsome Senior Picture. Marsh Valley High School class of 1977.

Bill wanted to play college football so badly. He walked onto BYU...played one year and then went on a Mission to South Africa. He returned for another year of football before earning a scholarship his Junior year. He always gave everything he had and he earned the respect and love of the players and coaches. Our closest college friends are those that we met when Bill was playing football.

Grandpa Burl McNabb (John's father), John McNabb, Bill and his brother Mike. This is when Bill was leaving to serve his mission in South Africa. Bill's brother, John, was on his mission in Spain.

Bill in South Africa with the son of one of the families he was teaching. He loved the people of South Africa and was so grateful that he was able to serve his Heavenly Father. We wrote the entire time he was gone and it was fun to live his experiences with him. What a blessing it is to be able to serve a mission! Nothing can replace the things learned in those two years. Bill was able to serve with his mission President, Lowell Wood, during the last year of his mission. He grew to love him so much and learned so many valuable things from him.

What a wonderful husband, father,and grandfather we have! We are so grateful for all that he does for us, for the great example he is to us, and for all the love that he shares with us. We are so blessed! Happy Birthday Sweetheart!