Billy Yarbrough

Billy G. Bill Yarbrough died Monday, August 2, 2010, in Midland, Texas. He was 86 years old, having been born on September 25, 1923, in Baird, Texas, to Ocie Clyde and Ruth Campbell Yarbrough. He was second oldest of five boys in the Yarbrough clan.
He graduated from Baird High School in 1941 and attended Texas AM for two years before he joined the United States Navy in 1943. He was a Navy pilot, flying airsea rescue in the Pacific in World War II and serving stateside in the air ferry command during the Korean Conflict. After WWII he moved to Abilene, Texas, and graduated from McMurry College in 1948. He later obtained a masters degree from HardinSimmons University in Abilene.
Bill was a gifted athlete at Baird High School, excelling in football and track and field. He once scored all the points for Baird in the regional track meet with four first place finishes, which won the team championship for Baird. He won second place in the State Meet at Austin in the 220 yard hurdles. Several years ago a sports columnist for the Abilene Reporter News called him possibly the greatest athlete to come out of Baird High School. He entered Texas AM on a track scholarship, but had to give it up to concentrate on his studies.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Gusolyn Hall, on January 19, 1943, and they remained married for more than 64 years until her death on August 10, 2007.
After moving to Abilene, Bill worked in the insurance business for several years before deciding to become an educator. He served as principal, teacher, and bus driver for Elmdale School in Taylor County from 1959 to 1964 before becoming Taylor County School SupervisorCounselor from 1964 to 1974. In 1974 he was elected as the Superintendent of Taylor County Schools and held that position until the legislature eliminated the position. Following his retirement from the school business, he served as the Regional Manager of the U.S. Census Bureau for the 1980 census. He also worked as a high school football official and at the YMCA for several years.
Bill was a social person. He loved to be around other people and his warm, engaging manner attracted people to him.
Bill was a Kiwanian, a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He belonged to the Texas State Teachers Association and NEA. He was a longtime member 50 years of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and Homebuilders Sunday School Class. He was a loving husband to Gusolyn and a wonderful father to his two sons, David and Bill Hall Yarbrough.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gusolyn, a son Bill Hall Yarbrough, and three brothers, Clyde, Carl and Jack Yarbrough. He is survived by his son, David L. Yarbrough and wife Regina of Odessa, Texas, grandchildren Lori Davis and husband Nicholas of Little Elm, Texas, and Kendall McKenney and husband Chad of Addison, Texas, greatgranddaughter Afton Alexandria Davis of Little Elm, and brother Donald C. Yarbrough and wife Virginia of Levelland, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the nurses, aides, staff and residents and to special friend Pam Harvey at Vogel Center at Manor Park for enriching Bills life the past two and half years.
The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 5, 2010, at Elmwood Funeral Home in Abilene, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, Texas. Graveside services will be 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 6, 2010, at Ross Cemetery in Baird, Texas.
Memorial services at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, Texas, will be at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverends Donald C. Yarbrough and Douglas C. Chapman officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Odessa and assisted by Elmwood Funeral Home in Abilene.
Memorials my be directed to Manor Park, Inc., 2208 N. Loop 250 West, Midland, Texas 79707, or to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, Texas 79605.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 Hwy 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, August 5, 2010
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Service

Graveside

Ross Cemetery
Ross Cemetery
Baird, TX  79504
Friday, August 6, 2010
9:30 AM

Memorial

Aldersgate United Methodist Church
1741 Sayles Blvd.
Abilene, TX  79605
Friday, August 6, 2010
11:00 AM

Memorial Contributions

2208 N. Loop 250 West
Midland, TX  79707


1741 Sayles Blvd.
Abilene, TX  79605