Bill’s Obituary Coach” Bill Scudder received the call and went home to Jesus, his Lord, and Savior, and to the family and friends already in Heaven. He passed away peacefully on January 27, 2019, in Texarkana, Texas. Bill was born in Lamar County to Willie Tom and Robbie Nell Parks Scudder on January 11, 1944, and died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 75.
Coach Scudder attended Blossom Elementary, then Paris High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the 1961 Paris Wildcats baseball team playing in the State Tournament. He then went on to play for the Paris Junior College Dragons for two years and upon graduation, Bill received a scholarship to play baseball for the Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in 1966 and began his teaching and coaching career with Paris ISD. In 1969, Coach Scudder became the last coach for the Blossom Bulldogs boys’ basketball program and in perfect Bill Scudder fashion, he led the team to a district championship and the team also played deep into the playoffs. The following year, Bill became the first boys’ program coach for the newly consolidated high school in Prairiland ISD.
Coach Scudder spent the next 34 years as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director mentoring thousands of young men and women. One of his special memories was coaching the 1986 Prairiland Patriots baseball team to a 3A state championship. In 2000, Bill made the decision to retire to spend more time with his family and to be able to coach, mentor and positively influence the lives of his grandchildren and their friends & teammates.
Bill was a true testament to a faithful servant and lived out his love for the Lord. He was a member of Moores Lane Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX. The family would like to say a special Thank You to the staff at Magnolia Memory Care in Texarkana for the love and care they gave “Coach” for the past year for his life.
Coach Scudder was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Baby Pickelman and David Samuel Anderson. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Sue Carter Scudder, his three children, Scott Scudder and wife Tracy of Burnet, TX, Amy Pickelman and husband, Jason and Jan Anderson and husband, Kurt of Texarkana, Tx. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, who affectionately referred to their grandfather as Ballpa: Reed Scott Scudder of Phoenix, AZ, William Trey Scudder and Kylee Sue Scudder of College Station, TX, Ryan Scott Pickelman, Rebecca Grace Pickelman, Tucker Thomas Anderson, Rebekah Rose Anderson and William Buchanan Anderson all of Texarkana, TX.
Honorary Pallbearers are some of his longtime friends, Ronnie Baker, Billy Gene Golden, Jimmy Lassiter, Bob Marshall, Loren Stephens, LC Stout, Dickie Towers, Jeff “Weezy” Morrison (representing his father, Harold Morrison) and his nephew, David White (representing his father, Ed White). The family request in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Pleasant Grove Education Foundation for the Bill Scudder Memorial Scholarship. Please send donations to Pleasant Grove ISD Central Services 8500 North Kings Hwy Texarkana, TX 75503.
A visitation will be Tuesday, January 29th at First Baptist Church, Moores Lane in the Atrium from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. A memorial service will be held on February 16th at East Paris Baptist Church, Paris, TX at 2:00 to honor his life.
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