Bill Lavern Kalles

Bill Lavern Kalles, 70, of Senatobia, Mississippi, passed away after a long battle with cancer, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at his home in Senatobia, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Bane Kalles, of Washington State, his beloved little stepdaughter, Jessica Neatrour-Kalles of Moses Lake, Washington, whom died in 2008 at the age of 12, and his mother-in-law, Dora Lee Crawford McCrary of Senatobia.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Emily McCrary Kalles of Senatobia, his mother Lori Kalles of Mt. Vernon, Washington, his sister Jeri Kalles Avery of Moses Lake, Washington, his brother Ron Kalles of Sedro Wooley, Washington, his brother Jim Kalles of Mt. Vernon, Washington, father-in-law James B. McCrary of Senatobia, Linda and Mike McCrary of Senatobia, Sandra and John McCrary of Olive Branch, and Marie and Mike Sansom of Senatobia, and nieces and nephews, Patrice McCrary Pitts, Brandon McCrary, Collin McCrary, Sara McCrary Myers, Michelle Sansom, and Dallas McCrary.

He was born on July 17, 1954 in Sedro Woolley, Washington, and lived in various places around Washington state over his lifetime. He attended Skagit Valley College and the University of Washington with a degree in Accounting. He was a lifelong Washington Huskies football fan. In his youth he played drums in a country-rock band with his father and traveled the western United States with their band. He also played guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukelele, and bass guitar, all self-taught.

Bill moved to Mississippi in 2009 when he met the love of his life and married her. He became an Ole Miss Rebel fan with her. They enjoyed watching Washington and Ole Miss football and looked forward to the fall season every year. He enjoyed cooking with his wife, entertaining, and often hosting family events and dinner parties for friends at their country club home. Roasted chicken with potatoes and barbecue ribs were his specialties. They loved trying out exotic foods and new restaurants, traveling for music concerts and the Grand Ole Opry, usually scoring front row seats and backstage passes.

Bill was an active and lifetime member of the Libertarian Party, serving as vice-chairman of the Mississippi Libertarian party and as a delegate to the national Libertarian convention. He took an active role in growing the Mississippi branch of the party and helping it to thrive. In his chosen town of Senatobia, he was a member of the Civitan Club and the Optimist Club and enjoyed the services he and his club members provided for the community. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Senatobia.

He had a thirst for adventure, taking epic weeks-long camping trips with his “River Rat” buddies out west, camping and boating on the Colorado River, the Green River, and Lake Havasu, and hiking in the California, New Mexico, and Nevada deserts. Bill had a sailboat in Oak Harbor, Washington, and while dating, he and Emily sailed Puget Sound, watching whales and soaking up the wind and sun. But he loved the south, living in Mississippi, and even loved southern summers, especially tomato sandwiches, and watching fireflies.

Bill was never scared to take on new opportunities and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong values and was well liked by everyone, mostly due to his positive energy. He loved telling jokes and making puns to get a smile, and even when the cancer had taken his voice, he would insist on taking the time to write one down for you to read. He was ridiculously photogenic with his crystal blue eyes, and his smile was beautiful, friendly, and full of life.

A private memorial and Celebration of Life is being held for immediate friends and family.

He will be forever missed and memories of him will be forever cherished by his Mississippi McCrary family, his Washington Kalles family, and his River Rat buddies; Mike Snell of Arizona, Chris Hall of New Mexico, Greg Smith of Kentucky. Sail on, brother.