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- WILLIAM "DUB" WALDRIP | 1924 - 2005
By BARRY SHLACHTER
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
William "Dub" Waldrip, a former beef industry leader and something ofaRenaissance ranch executive, died in Lubbock on Sunday afterrecentsurgery. He was 81.
Mr. Waldrip was chief executive officer of the historic Spade Ranchesfor37 years; flew B-17s and B-29s during World War II; earned threedegrees,including a doctorate from Texas A&M University; and performedwith theWichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, said John Welch, whosucceeded him asCEO at Spade. He played the cello, guitar, trombone,bass fiddle andmandolin.
"A rare breed," Matt Bockman, executive vice president of the TexasandSouthwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said of Mr. Waldrip. "Hewas oneof those rare individuals who had stellar careers both in theprivatesector and public sector. ... He was at home on horseback, inthecorporate boardroom, in the laboratory or in the orchestra pit."
Mr. Waldrip was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Wichita Falls to Jesse andEudinceWaldrip.
In 1983, Mr. Waldrip was elected president of the NationalCattlemen'sBeef Association, remarking that he was the first ranchemployee to headthe largest industry group, Welch said.
For nearly half his life, he ran the Spade Ranches near ColoradoCity,Turkey, Throckmorton, Canadian and Gail, operations with 6,500cows. Healso had his own cattle outfit in Palo Pinto County untilabout 15 yearsago, Welch said.
Mr. Waldrip was preceded in death by his first wife. He is survivedbyhis second wife, Emily; five children, Cynthia Opheim, Mark Waldrip,MattWaldrip, Donnie Waldrip and Julie Thames; seven grandchildren; andonegreat-grandchild.
Funeral
2 p.m. today at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lubbock withintermentat Resthaven Memorial Park.
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1924 - 2005 (81 years)
