Herbert "Bill" Mackey

Herbert William “Bill” Mackey, 74, the salsa and seasoning guy of E. Wood Ave, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023 at his home.  Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Chunky Click officiating. Carlsbad Veteran Honor Guard will provide military honors.

Bill was born on March 24, 1949, to James Herbert and Maclovia (Zamora) Mackey in Albuquerque, NM.  He grew up on a ranch 15 miles south of Hillsboro, NM and attended grade school in the two-room school house at Hillsboro. After the death of his father in 1959, Bill became an orphan and was put under the guardianship of an aunt and uncle. He graduated from Deming High School in 1967, where he lettered in football and track.  Bill was drafted into the US Army in 1968. He was sent to Vietnam in 1969 where he received 2 purple hearts and a bronze star.  Bill led quite a diverse working life ranging from Flagstaff, AZ east to Sweetwater, TX and many places in between. Some of his work adventures included utility construction main line sewer and water, bull hauler, ranch and feedlot foreman, oilfield dirt construction and law enforcement in Texas and New Mexico. After working under three different sheriffs, he resigned from the Eddy Co. Sheriff department to work as a heavy equipment operator doing oil field pipe line construction, and retired after a back injury while working for MSI Inc.  His claim to fame was his seasoning and salsa mix that was on the market locally.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Michelle Mackey and brothers, Cork and Paul Mackey.

From Bill to all his friends, acquaintances, and work associates: “thank you for your friendship and support in our time together.  I've been blessed in this life and am thankful for my good fortune in this life, and am going to a better place so no need for sorrow or tears.” To my daughter Michelle: “Thank you for being you. I'm proud of you and your accomplishments.”  Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com