William Clyde McAlum

William Clyde McAlum, 82, of Nederland, Texas passed away on May 16, 2024, at Jefferson Nursing Home in Beaumont, Texas with his loving grandchildren at his side.  

William was born on June 14,1941, in Alamo, Georgia to Hilton and Ruby Sumner McAlum.  He was a proud Army Veteran with over twenty-three years served until he retired as a Sargeant Major with the Military Police. After serving two tours in Vietnam and being stationed around the world, he continued a long career earning several honors, including the Bronze Star. Serving his country was one of his proudest accomplishments in life.  After retiring from the Army, William ventured into the private security sector and relocated to Albuquerque, NM, where he met some of his closest life-long friends. He was heavily involved in his community and lived a socially active life, where he and Gloria were usually at the country club or enjoying a night out dancing with friends.  Anyone would attest that he was a family man and loved spending time with his daughters, step-kids and grandkids. Although his daughters lived in Florida, he talked of them often and loved their visits. A few of his favorite hobbies included golfing, making his famous BBQ ribs at his Rhythm and Blues party's and people watching from a lawn chair in the front yard. He was very close to his grandkids and some of their fondest memories were; Lauren remembers him always giving her total artistic control when decorating their Christmas tree every year, making a joke she would always have total control. Jessica remembers riding around town in his red convertible and him doing seatbelt checks (check 1, 2, 3) on them. William was an avid runner, something he took credit for getting his granddaughter, Amber into. She remembers running with him from an early age of only five. Austin, which he called "son, or happy Mulrine" spent numerous hours throwing a football with him, even later in life when he had to sit and throw the ball from a chair.  He also taught Austin at a young age to golf with him so he could always have someone to play a "round" with. Their "Papa" was often seen at their basketball games, on the sidelines of their soccer fields, along the cross-country route of a race or at a high school football game where he sat near the band and cheered the drumline on as he always supported everything they did, including years of Boy Scout meetings. His grandkids named him the “Big Kahuna” because he was expressive and carefree. He loved being outdoors and spent many hours with family planting and yielding gardens and considered himself to be quite the master farmer. Papa was also known for singing and dancing with all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout their lives. Additionally, he loved sitting outside telling stories about growing up on the farm in Georgia and about his time in the military.  

Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of thirty-eight years, Gloria Narducci Gengo McAlum of Nederland, Tx; his brother Harry McAlum of South Carolina, and his sister, Linda Burke of Georgia; his daughters, Lisa McAlum and Shauna Ramirez and her husband Roberto all of Florida; step-daughter, Mistie Gengo of Nederland, Tx; daughter-in-law, Christina Gengo of Nederland, Tx; grandchildren, Lauren Perez and husband Henry of Groves,Tx, Jessica Hunt and her husband Josh of Houston, Tx,  Amber Hoffman and wife Julie of Houston, Tx,  Austin Mulrine of Nederland, Tx and Charlie Gengo of Nederland, Tx; great grandchildren, Harper Perez of Groves, Tx, Rowan Hunt of Houston, Tx, Olivier Perez of Groves, Tx, Riley Hoffman and Blake Hoffman both of Houston, Tx.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Hilton and Ruby Sumner; his brothers Robert McAlum and Don McAlum; his stepson, Damon Gengo and his great-granddaughter, Eliana Perez.  

A gathering of family and friends for visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024, at Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland with services to follow at 4:00 p.m.  A Military Graveside Rites ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the Houston National Cemetery in Houston under the direction of Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home.  Honorary Pall Bearers are Austin Mulrine, Charlie Gengo, Henry Perez, Lauren Perez, Wilson Sam, Amber Hoffman, Julie Hoffman and Jessica Hunt and Slade Strickland.