William Boyd Bush

Respected and loved Texas educator, William Boyd Bush, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 11:30 pm in Austin at Buckner Villas Campbell Center, 15 days short of his 102nd birthday. Aside from the valuable lessons he taught in the classroom and athletic fields, Bill Bush taught all who knew him about integrity, modesty, moderation, curiosity, loyalty, the dignity of hard work and pursuit of perfection, and the value of freedom and individual liberty. And, the pleasure of having “a little bit” of dessert after each meal. This kind and gentle man was an inspiration to all who knew him. Bill Bush was born in Greenville, Texas on December 20, 1910 to Dr. John Abner Bush and his wife Mattie Etna Patton Bush. He was the youngest of eight children: Marvin, Malvin, Verda, Lois, Ellington, Ammie Pearl and Becton. A talented artist and athlete at Greenville High School, Bill won a statewide cartoon contest sponsored by the Dallas Morning News at the age of 16 and excelled in football and baseball. Following graduation from Greenville High School in 1929, Bill attended Wesley College in Greenville for two years, where he continued his academic and athletic interests. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1932 and 1933 and played football for the Matadors (now Red Raiders) for legendary coach, Pete Cawthon. In 1933, he graduated with a degree in Journalism, becoming the first Texas Tech student to receive such a degree. In 2007, the Department of Mass Communication at Texas Tech recognized him for being in the first graduating class of the Department of Journalism. In addition, the Texas Tech Alumni Association presented him the Diamond Alumni Award, marking the first time this recognition had ever been presented. Immediately following graduation from Texas Tech, Bill returned to Greenville and served as head football coach at Wesley College for two years. In 1936, he accepted a position as football coach and mathematics teacher with Ball High School in Galveston, beginning a 39 year career in public school education. He became head football coach for the Tornadoes in 1937 and remained in this position for sixteen years. His football teams at Ball High were known for playing sound fundamental football and recorded many notable firsts in school history. A widely respected coach and teacher, selected as a coach of the Texas High School Coaches Association North-South Texas High School Football Classic, Bill was honored by Ball High in 1960 when the school established the Bill Bush Scholarship Award, given annually to the senior football player with the highest academic standing. In 1953, after receiving a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Houston, Bill accepted an offer to become Principal of Lampasas High School. During his 22 year tenure as Principal, Bill oversaw the construction of a new high school, recruitment and nurturing of an outstanding faculty and the doubling of enrollment. Thousands of Lampasas High School students over the years were welcomed each day by Bill Bush on the school intercom, as he gave students encouragement and inspiration to strive for excellence in their day’s work. He retired as Principal in 1975. Following retirement from Lampasas High School, Bill spent many hours playing golf at the Hancock Park Golf Course and played in the Retired Teachers Tournament and the Seniors Tournament each year for decades. He was a long standing member of the Lampasas Golf Association. He also enjoyed attending reunions at Lampasas High and Ball High and visiting with former students, players and colleagues on numerous occasions. In 1937, Bill married Elizabeth Geraldyne Robbins of Greenville. He and his sweetheart were married for 57 years, until her death in 1994. Bill and Gerry had three children: William Boyd Bush, Jr., John Robbins Bush, and Elizabeth Suzanne Bush. All three were born in Galveston and raised in Lampasas. Bill is survived by his three children and their spouses, William Bush, Jr. and Lori, John Bush and Judy, and Suzanne and Mike Black; seven grandchildren and their spouses, William Bush, III and wife Nancy, Natalie Bush Malonis, Haley Bush, John Bush, Jr. and wife Joanne, Jason Bush and wife Jenifer, Lindsay Black and Cate Black; and nine great grandchilden: William Bush, IV, Sam Bush, Jack Malonis, Charlie Malonis, Julia Bush, John Bush, III, Jack Bush, Joey Bush and Violet Jane Bush. Bill was a member of several professional and civic organizations and the First United Methodist Church of Lampasas. A funeral service celebrating Bill Bush’s life will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church (2 Alexander Drive, Lampasas, TX 76550), Reverend George Lumpkin officiating, on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 2:00 pm. A brief reception will follow in Wesley Hall. Following the reception, interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in their father’s name to the First United Methodist Church of Lampasas. Funeral arrangements are being made by Sneed Funeral Chapel, 201 E. 3rd Street, Lampasas, Texas 76550. The family will welcome visits at Sneed Funeral Chapel on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”