Ric Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 It is with a heavy heart that I report my best friend Bill McCaleb (mibcapper) passed away yesterday at his home. I loved him like a brother. Bill was a wounded Vietnam Veteran who got into a land mine within days after deploying to the front lines. He carried the scars and health issues associated with his injuries for the rest of his life. After more than a year of rehab in Germany and California he became a USPS postal carrier in west central Illinois where he eventually retired early after a back injury and more surgery. He collected marbles for about 30 years and dug at nearly every factory in West Virginia and Christensen Agate too. I have never known another person who was as excited about dirty marbles as he was. Bill, Ron Shepherd and I spent many days and nights marbling and over many years attended so many shows together that we became known as the "Three Amigos". "Get 'em all" was one of Bill's favorite marbling phrases and he contributed much to the hobby. One of his many achievements was discovering and naming the Alley Carnival. Years ago, I picked him up in Illinois and took him to the VA Hospital in Indianapolis and back. When I got home, I found a Carnival he had slipped into my coat pocket. That's the kind of person Bill was, generous to a fault. I spent many days with him talking marbles, looking at marbles and swapping marbles, and we shared all the ups and downs of life and supported one another just like brothers would. Fortunately, Ron, Nola Morgan and I were able to spend a couple of more days visiting with him shortly after Christmas. Bill was in high spirits and we relived a lot of good times and marble adventures past. As usual, he was gibing with us and laughing and having as much fun as he could muster, just like he always did. Only this time, he wasn't able to muster quite as much as he usually would. Bill always lived life in the moment, and grabbed every ounce of joy that he could. Rest in peace brother Billy, I already miss you dearly. 8 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 I am sad for you Ric and Ron as well--- mibcapper was an example for all of us to follow. Pass on what you have learned in his memory--I will. Marble--On mibcapper!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad G. Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 R.I.P. Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 Bill McCaleb that name meant a true friend to me for over twenty years. We shared all the joy and the disappointments over many years. He leaned on my shoulder and I Ieaned on his shoulder whenever the need arose. We shared many miles across the country going to marble shows and chasing marbles in the dirt. We were the Three Amigos. Marbles have brought so many wonderful people into my life. Bill was one of the early ones and who never left my side from the first day we saw each other eye to eye. The stories that I could tell, like a Tom Sawyer and Huck Fin adventures. I also received free one of Bills Alley Carnival marbles. Ric and I were standing there with him the day he bought them, thinking they might be Peltier. Bill was not good with driving directions or a GPS. So many times he got lost coming from IL to my house in WV. He was suppose to arrive in WV about 6-7 pm one evening. At 11pm I got a call from Bill. He was about 75-100 miles north of me, up the Ohio river across from Sistersville WV. He finally knew where he was but, no way to cross the river. The river ferry was closed down at 6pm. So he slept in his truck at the ferry landing and came back 100 miles south to me the next morning. We did have a good last visit a couple weeks ago. Making the best of a bad situation. On one of Bills many trips back home several years ago to IL from digging marbles in WV. He wrote this for me. He left me many items but this is so special. A side of Bill that many people never knew. Rest in peace my true friend. I know you have that dream pocket marble with you. 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 So sorry for your loss. 😢 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 One of the greats. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 I truly have and will continue to enjoy his posts, all of which showed off his outstanding collection and even more so, his outstanding knowledge of this hobby that we have come to love. Both new and veteran collectors alike. As I have stated before, this forum and its members are and always will be like a second family too me. Whether I have met you or not, this bond that I have with the people here,too me, is second to none. RIP, Bill "Mibcapper" McCaleb ❤ 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 Rest in Peace Bill My Condoleances for the Family and Friends he left behind 🙏🕯 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Oregon Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 So sad to read this. He was a great man and marble collector. Prayers to his friends and family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave 13 Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 My condolences to his Family and Marbles Friend's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 Such a loss. He brought much joy and knowledge and passion to the hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashbelt Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 So sorry to read of your loss of a great friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Man ! He will be missed. I have a separate name for a lot of the Pelts he posted. I call them “Dream Pelts” We’re all very lucky to have him here on the Board 🔥 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted January 11, 2023 Report Share Posted January 11, 2023 Here’s my Pelt I’m posting in honor of the one and only mibcapper🔥 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted January 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Fire1981 said: Here’s my Pelt I’m posting in honor of the one and only mibcapper🔥 I can pretty much guarantee that he would of liked that one too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted January 13, 2023 Report Share Posted January 13, 2023 😥 A great loss to the marble community, may his posts live on and the knowledge he has contributed to us all.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted January 25, 2023 Report Share Posted January 25, 2023 Bill McCaleb dug this marble at the Peltier factory site. Peltier Green Lantern with aventurine. 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted January 25, 2023 Report Share Posted January 25, 2023 WOW ! You guys have a great history together 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted January 25, 2023 Report Share Posted January 25, 2023 We did for sure. You will not see many of this marble. This is the type one Green Lantern. Type one has one yellow ribbon. The type two Green Lanterns have two yellow ribbons. Either one is rare to find or even see in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manddrakes Posted January 26, 2023 Report Share Posted January 26, 2023 He has a rare find! In every way... To a better way you go my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royal3 Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 I’m so saddened to learn of Bill’s passing today, he was a grand friend to so many and always a friend to and supporter of this great hobby. Thanks to all for sharing such dear memories. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 I woke up thinking about brother Bill today and I thought it appropriate to add this photo from last April here. This is a look I have seen more times than I can remember, it's the one that says, "I found a marble in your keeper box and I really don't want to put it back". As you can see, there's already a hole in one of the cases. Bill was such a good friend that I found it almost impossible to say no to him. I mean really, who could resist that face? Fortunately, he was also a generous man and over our many years of friendship things always seemed to work out for both of us. 🙂 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrons Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 The Memories. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire1981 Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 Those are great pics you guys. 🔥 RAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 On 3/6/2023 at 1:14 PM, wvrons said: The Memories. Thanks for adding those, Ron - some of my fondest memories, and If I remember right, those first pics of Bill were from around 2007. And for anyone who might be interested - no, I was not sleeping! I do remember how surprisingly comfortable I was laying in all that rubble though. lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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