If you’ve spent any time in Sugar Mill Pond, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Bill and Kathy McDonald—or their beloved rescue pup, Abbey, who’s even been a star in our Stroll Sugar Mill Pond Precious Pets feature. Married for nearly 59 years, the McDonalds bring warmth, kindness, and a whole lot of history to the neighborhood they proudly call home.

Bill and Kathy’s story began all the way back in high school. They met in 10th grade at Hobbs High School in Hobbs, New Mexico, and began dating in their senior year. With encouragement from friends, they made a spur-of-the-moment drive from college in Oklahoma back to Hobbs to get married, unknowingly choosing October 31st as their wedding date. “We didn’t even realize it was Halloween until we got back,” they laugh. “Needless to say, we’ve never forgotten our anniversary!” This Halloween, they’ll celebrate 59 years of marriage—an incredible milestone that speaks volumes about their love and commitment.

Bill and Kathy are both “oilfield kids,” having lived in several states before their families settled in Hobbs in the late 1950s. Bill went on to work as an Administrative Manager for Marathon Oil, while Kathy focused on raising their two daughters. Over the years, Kathy also worked for a dentist and served as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, where her faith and love for people truly shined.

Their lives have been rich with purpose, family, and unforgettable experiences—including a life-changing adventure to Belize. What started as a family vacation in 2013 quickly turned into something more. “We fell in love with the ocean, the food, and the people,” they recall. In 2014, they packed their bags and moved to San Pedro, Belize for six months. The McDonalds didn’t just visit—they immersed themselves in the local culture. Kathy tutored English literacy at Holy Cross Anglican School, and Bill taught math at San Pedro High School. Bill also became a certified Advanced Diver, logging over 250 dives throughout Belize and Cuba. They ended up staying in San Pedro until 2017.

Today, their hobbies are a little more laid back, though no less fulfilling. Bill enjoys woodworking, laser engraving, reading, and watching NASCAR and golf. He’s also a regular on the golf course and still leads men’s Bible studies. Kathy finds joy in her flowerbeds, women's Bible study groups, and jigsaw puzzles—plus the occasional well-earned nap.

They are the proud parents of two daughters, Christy and Lynn. Tragically, Christy, her husband Geoff, and their daughter Rebekah were killed in a car accident in 2008—a heartbreaking loss that has deeply shaped the McDonalds’ faith and perspective. Their daughter Lynn and her husband Bart live in Baton Rouge, where Lynn is an administrator at The Dunham School and Bart works as a Regional Regenerative Tissue Manager. Grandsons Zach and Garrett are thriving—Zach currently attends college in Baton Rouge, while Garrett works in retirement fund management in Philadelphia.

Bill and Kathy love gathering with their family during the holidays and spending time with neighbors in Sugar Mill Pond. Bill served on the HOA board and co-founded the SMP Supper Club in 2012 with three other couples. Today, the club hosts about 50 attendees each month, bringing residents together in the spirit of friendship and community.

When they’re not hosting or helping out, the McDonalds enjoy dining at local favorites like Charlie G’s (especially for anniversaries), Agave, TAD’s, Riverside Inn, and KK’s. At home, Bill enjoys cooking while Kathy handles the desserts, making their kitchen a place where love and good food go hand in hand.

Their favorite part of life in Sugar Mill Pond? “Even as the Pond has grown larger, there’s still a sense of community and family,” they say. And that’s exactly what the McDonalds bring to the neighborhood—love, faith, and a genuine desire to make life a little sweeter for everyone around them.