William Ruck Sibley

Dr. William Ruck "Dub" Sibley, Jr. was born May 16, 1921 in Abilene, Texas. He was the son of "Ruck" Sibley, former Chief of Police of Abilene, and Mollie Mead of Abilene. He had two sisters, Melba and Alma Jean, both deceased. Dr. Sibley died Thursday, September 29, 2011 in Abilene. Dub attended schools in Abilene, graduating from Abilene High School in 1939. In 1939, he left Abilene to attend Texas A&M. While at Texas A&M, Dr. Sibley was in the Field Artillery and was Battalion Commander. He played varsity football for Texas A&M in 1940, '41 and '42. In 1941, Dub was selected All-Southwest Conference center and set a NCAA record of 10 pass interceptions by a linebacker, a record that stands today. In 1942, Dub was selected as center on Grantland Rice's All-American team. He received a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1942. When Dr. Sibley graduated from A&M, he was given a regular commission in the Marine Corp. He served during World War II with the 3rd Marine Division on Guam. After participating in the Iwo Jima Battle, he returned to Guam until the war was over. Although offered contracts to play pro ball with the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, Dub chose to return to Texas to attended medical school. He attended the University of Houston while waiting to begin medical school. He graduated in 1950 with honors from Baylor University College of Medicine, and was a charter member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the highest honor in medical school. He did a general rotating internship at Brook Army Hospital in San Antonio, graduating #1 in his class, and did a preceptorship in general surgery with Dr. J. W. Nixon. After completing his military and educational life, he returned to his hometown, Abilene, in May of 1952 to be a "country doctor." Dub started a solo practice in General Practice. His office was with the doctor who delivered him. Dub was active in the Taylor-Jones County Medical Society (President in the mid-60s), the American Medical Association and Texas Academy of General Practice. He was president of the Family Practice group; he served on the State of Texas Board of General Practice; and he helped start the continuing education program, which has spread to all specialties of medicine. Dr. Sibley continued to practice medicine, affiliated with both Hendrick and Humana Hospitals, retiring in March of 2000 after 50 years of fulfilling his dream - "being an excellent family doctor." Dr. Sibley was a nutritional expert, a believer in preventive medicine, a humanitarian, Dub was the team doctor for Abilene High School during the 1950s when Chuck Moser coached three state championship teams. During this time, Dub was a charter member of Abilene's Council on Alcoholism. He was a 32nd Mason in the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. He helped start the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and was a charter member of the Board of Directors. He was very active in Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, serving as senior warden and helping start a second Episcopal church in Abilene. He was an Eagle Scout and an avid golfer, Dub married Sonoma Kathryn Rudman in July 1943 in Breckinridge, Texas. He was the father of two daughters and a son, the grandfather of three grandsons and two granddaughters and four great grandchildren. Dr. Sibley is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sonoma Kathryn Rudman, and his three children: Sharron Ann Sibley and husband, Gerald Grant Jr., of Fort Worth; Cindy Lou Sibley of Austin; and William Ruck (Trey) Sibley III and wife, Sheila, of Dallas. Survivors also include five grandchildren: William Marion (King) Pugh and wife, Stacy, of Midlothian, TX; Charles Kyle Pugh and fiancée, Ms. Deborah Michaels of Dallas; Hayley Sayles Pannone of Austin; Heather Michelle Hayward and husband, Daniel Hayward, of Frisco, TX; and Jordan Matthew Sibley of Dallas; and four great grandchildren: William Ryan Pugh and Kathryn Lynn Pugh of Midlothian, TX; Sadie Pearl Pannone of Austin; and Mason Scott Hayward of Frisco, TX. Dub is also survived by his father's brother's (Pee Wee Sibley) daughter, Martha Sibley Spence and husband, John, of Dallas. Dr. Sibley's grandsons will be pallbearers at his funeral service to be held Monday, October 3, at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal at 11 a.m. officiated by The Rev. N. Luke Back, Rector. The burial will follow in the family plot in Buffalo Gap Cemetery in Buffalo Gap, Texas. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.