Billy Gerald McGee passed away peacefully in Bryan, TX on June 16, 2021. Born in Trinity, TX, November 14, 1930, he was the fourth of five children born to Harold and Audrey McGee. When he was 3 years old, his mother died of pneumonia during the depression. Unable to care for the 4 children, his father placed them in the Orphan’s Home in Corsicana, TX, where they remained until 1942. They lived briefly in Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma-ending up in Houston in 1946. He attended Marshall Jr High where Coach Cotton first introduced him to football. Later that year he was sent to live with his grandmother “Mother Granny” in Trinity. After practicing with the Trinity football players and hearing the coach say he was “good but not one of our players”, he enrolled himself in school and became very active in all sports. He spent 3 winning seasons on the team under coach Bud Cross, who later opened the Ford dealership in Caldwell, TX. His senior year he was quarterback and team captain and selected for All-District and received a scholarship to Allen Academy (Junior College) in Bryan. After graduating from Allen Academy, he attended Sam Houston briefly and then joined the Naval Air Cadets. In 1953 he resigned from Naval Air Cadets and married Helen Tipton, (m. 1953-1990). He worked for the railroad while continuing his education at the University of Houston, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He then began his coaching career. He later went on to earn his Master of Education Degree from Sam Houston State University in 1972. Coaching Career: 1957-58 Aldine Junior HS: Head 7 th grade football & basketball coach 1958-60 Elkhart HS: Head Coach and Athletic Director 1960-65 Lamar HS: Assistant Football and Head Track Coach (Track District Champs 4/5 yrs. State Championship in Cross Country in1962. Won City Cross-Country 61, 62. 63, 64. 1965-77 MacArthur HS: Asst. Head Coach and Trainer/Coach 1977-85 Westchester HS: Head Soph Coach 2 yr. (15-5 record), Varsity Defensive Coordinator 5 yr., Head Coach Varsity 1 yr. 1985-92 Stratford HS: Varsity Football Coach. Offensive Line and Special Teams Coach 1987 (15-1). State Championship Playoff 1987, Also in playoffs in 88 and 92. 1992 Summer Offensive Line Coach for Russian Czars in European Football League. Team played for European Championship in Oslo, Norway (lost 7-6). In 1992 he retired and eventually settled in Lyons, TX, in 1997. He married Judith Blair Chappell in January of 1999. They have been living in Lyons since that time. During this time Bill continued to develop his love of singing and playing the guitar. He played regularly for nursing homes in Caldwell as well as occasional private performances. Bill came to know the Lord at First Baptist Church in Trinity, and grew closer to Him throughout his years. While we are confident he is in the presence of the Lord, he will be dearly missed by those that are left behind to cherish his memory and protect his legacy. Bill is preceded in death by his parents; brother James McGee; brother Frank McGee; sister Catherine McGee; son James McGee; and daughter Kay McGee. He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Judy McGee; son William Dean McGee and wife Isabel; daughters April Perry and husband Jack, and Nicole Spoor and husband Jeff; grandchildren Matthew, Austin, Warren, Duncan, Ashlynn, Tripp, Avery, Hailey, David, Jack, Bess, and Joshua; step-grandchildren Jackie, Elizabeth, and Joey; and sister Dorothy McGee; many nieces and nephews; and beloved dog and comforting companion Fawndy.
In Memoriam