Page 75 - NMHBA Spring 2020

IN MEMORIAM
William “Bill” Robertson, DVM April 4, 1937-Jan. 1, 2020
William Ralph Robertson was born to Ralph Waldo Robertson and Ruby Lee Anderson on April 4, 1937, in San Antonio, Texas. Bill’s inter- est in medicine started early, traveling by train two times to the Mayo Clinic to seek medical treatment for his parents, and a thorough evalu- ation of himself due to his small stature. It was then that he experienced his first blood draw, where his ear was nicked to get samples of blood to check his bodily functions which fascinated him.
William lived with his grandparents, Rebecca Maples and Bud Anderson aka “Big Momma” and “Big Poppa”, after the death of his parents. At the Houston stock show Bill’s freshman year, he won a class showing a heifer and was presented his prize by Roy Rogers himself. His love and caring for animals started early by assisting Joe Trees in birthing calves and doctoring 4-H and other animals. This also included raising and treating the animals on the family’s ranch.
Back then there not many veterinarians, particularly in this rural part of Southern Texas which enhanced his ability and desire to care for animals. William attended Texas A&I and Texas A&M to receive his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1963. Bill’s veterinary career began with stints as a meat inspector in Fort Worth Texas and then St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis, he was introduced to the track and fell in love with the beauty, grace, and excitement of horse racing. He then found an opportunity to come to Odessa and purchase Angel Veterinary Clinic. He arrived in a dust bowl storm. He described it as one that you could not open the screen door after. He lived in Odessa and loved it ever since. A lot of that had to do with meeting a pretty blonde just three days after his arrival, Mary Opal Anglin.
As the story goes, Mary had an adult female German Shepherd that had been hit by a car and needed help. Mary offered to pay her bill by working for Doctor Bill and this was the beginning of their legacy. In the early days, Bill and Mary were a two-person operation. Bill the veterinarian, Mary the very capable veterinary technician, surgery assistant, kennel tech, and bookkeeper.
Dr. Bill had a strong interest in equine repro- duction and over his career bred and produced at least two thousand horses. Dr. Bill Robertson also had a strong steady work ethic that has been contagious to those around him. He was a men- tor to countless Veterinarians and staff in the industry. He loved helping animals and people more than anything else. He had a loving nature and a giving heart. He believed that there was one rule to live by, The Golden Rule: To Love God above all things and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Mark Your Calendars for July 25th and 26th!
Plan to join us these two days at Ruidoso Downs for NMB Races,
2019 An&nual Awards 2020 ZIA Festival
& Jamboree Party!
Be on the look out for more information in the upcoming months on the NMHBA website, Newsletter and Magazine.
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