Billy Casper's reassurance changed one young Marine's life

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Clebe McClary of Pawleys Island has had a persistent cough for the past few days, something he and his wife believe is the result of his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

The 73-year-old Georgetown native would normally be inclined to stay home and rest this weekend.

But there's something he feels compelled to do.

At the invitation of Shirley Casper, McClary will be attending the funeral of her husband, golf legend Billy Casper, on Saturday morning in Provo, Utah. Casper died last Saturday at the age of 83.

McClary credits Casper, whose 51 PGA Tour titles rank seventh all-time, with saving his life, and he wants to pay his respects to the man.

"I don't think I'd be here now if it wasn't for him," McClary said Friday just before a flight. "I just wanted to go out there. I really feel like I need to go. I want to be there for him. He was there for me when I needed him."

In 1968, McClary was a Marine Lieutenant in charge of a 12-man reconnaissance team in Vietnam and was gravely injured in a firefight. By his account, he was on his deathbed in a hospital in Japan and had already accepted death when Casper paid a visit to him and other wounded soldiers in the hospital. Casper was in Japan for an offseason event.

Casper offered some words of encouragement, including telling McClary that God had a plan for his life, and it helped McClary regain the will to live.

Though McClary lost his left arm and left eye and said he underwent 41 surgeries during more than two years in hospitals, he survived, and has influenced others for the past four decades as a motivational speaker.

"People didn't visit hospitals and wounded soldiers like they do now, it was a rare thing," McClary said. "There were about 600 of us in a hospital in Japan. He's that kind of man. He's got a big heart."

Casper and McClary didn't see each other again for 46 years, until last April when they reunited at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga., during a Tuesday practice round. (A Sun News story in April recounted the reunion.)

In addition to being a very benevolent person, Casper was also considered a great family man. According to his obituary, he is survived by his wife of 63 years and 11 children, 37 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

This article was written by Alan Blondin from The Sun News and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.