William O. McClure

September 29, 1937 - July 24, 2025 "Bill" was an exceptional person known for his immense kindness, generosity, and warmth as well as a distinguished career in scientific research, teaching, and community service. He was born in Yakima, WA to Rexford D. McClure, MD and Ruth Owen McClure and died in Eugene, OR at age 87.

Bill's distinctions began with academic and state track and field awards in high school. His state track and field records broke those previously set by his father and lasted nearly 30 years. Bill went on to receive a bachelor's degree in biology from the California Institute of Technology and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Washington. He was a post-doctoral fellow and assistant professor at The Rockefeller University in NYC and assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

For five decades Bill was a neuroscientist and educator at the University of Southern California (USC). A professor of biology and neurology, he directed programs in cellular biology, neural information science, neurobiology, psychobiology, the Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Center, and taught in both the Thematic Option honors program and helped create USC's version of the Center for Talented Youth. Bill was dedicated to mentoring students and was proud to serve as advisor to the Theta Kappa Alpha sorority at USC. He also was devoted to training many cohorts of future physicians. USC presented Bill with the Presidential Medallion and the Peer Achievement Award in 2003, the Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1994, and the John R. Hubbard Award in 1993.

Bill was recognized as a fellow of the Scripps Institute, the National Institute of Health, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the West Coast College of Biological Psychiatry, and the Interscience Research Institute. Bill was a patentee and authored many articles in prestigious journals in his field. He also consulted for and served as Vice President of Scientific Affairs for the Nelson Research and Development company from 1972-1992.

Upon retiring from USC in 2013, Bill was a program director and instructor with the South Central Scholars program, now Thrive Scholars. Bill also served on the board of directors of San Pedro Health Service and the Peninsula Hospital Foundation. In reflecting on his career, Bill felt his most important impacts had been through mentoring decades of students in science, medicine, and the humanities and contributing to the betterment of his community and those around him.

In 2006, Bill renewed his passion for sailing and racing. He joined the Los Angeles Yacht Club, made many great friends, and as an owner/racer, he campaigned three large yachts which prevailed in many regattas. He was most delighted with and proud of his crews in three Transpac races from Los Angeles to Honolulu. In 2024, he co-founded the Offshore Racing Foundation to support sailors underrepresented in offshore sailing and co-sponsored the Good Trouble sail boat to compete in Transpac.

Bill's family is extensive as are his friends. He is survived by his daughter, Heather McClure; his granddaughter Fiona McClure; Pamela McClure-Johnston (former wife and mother of Heather and Rexford McClure, deceased in 1994 while a senior at USC). Bill's wife Sara Joan Rorke, MD died in 2006. Other family survivors include sisters Eve and Joy McClure, nephew Josh Layne and niece Wynona Parry and their children; nephew Sean Rorke and niece Thea Rorke Sanderson and their children; and former wife Lily Momper.

Family and friends will celebrate Bill's life on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2-5pm at the University of Southern California University Club.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Bill McClure's memory to The Muse Writers Center: the-muse.org/billmcclure/ and to Angels Gate Cultural Center: angelsgateart.org/