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William Phelps Meleney, DVM, "Bill", a resident of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho for over 50 years, passed away at home on Thursday, August 4, 2005 after an extensive illness. William was born December 24, 1921 to Dr. and Mrs. Edmund Meleney while they were in Bejing, China, working for the Rockefeller Foundation. Bill spent most of his childhood in Nashville, TN. During WW II he was a volunteer ambulance driver with the American Field Service in Italy and North Africa. He graduated from Cornell University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1951 and, after a few years in private practice, he went to work for the U. S. Department of Agriculture. He was associated with the Albuquerque USDA Lab on So. Broadway, doing research for the eradication of parasites in sheep and cattle until the department moved to Kerrville, TX in 1978. When he retired, he followed his dream of owning a sailboat and cruising the Chesapeake Bay. He then returned to NM in 1993. Bill was an Elder in the Rio Rancho Seventh-day Adventist Church and held several offices over the span of many years. He was an avid and enthusiastic bowler and early on was a Youth Bowling Instructor. He was loved by all and he especially loved the children. Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Henry Edmund, Jr. and his stepdaughter, Dorothea Bulkley. He is survived by his loving wife, Beverley; son, William Phelps, Jr.; daughter, Kelsey "Kim" Wilkes; stepsons, Daniel and William Bulkley; stepdaughter, Kathleen Wettengel; niece, Janet Meleney-Kriebel; nephew, Henry E. Meleney, III; and eleven grandchildren. A Memorial Celebration of his life will be held at the Rio Rancho Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1351 19th Street, Rio Rancho on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. (For directions call: 987-0227 or 417-3347). Interment will be in the Cremation Garden at Vista Verde Memorial Park. Memorial contributions can be made to the Rio Rancho Church Outreach Mission, the American Cancer Foundation, or Odyssey Hospice Health Care. Arrangements by Vista Verde Mortuary Rio Rancho, New Mexico 892-9920
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