William Herrington

Dr. William B. Herrington passed to a better life into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 15, 2009 in Waco, Texas. Funeral services will be held at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Wednesday at 10:00 am with the Rev. David Shuttlesworth of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be held following the service. Interment will be in the Garden of Memories in Lufkin, Texas at 4:00 pm with the Rev. Robert Kinsey officiating.

Bill was born November 30, 1926 in Saratoga, Texas to Clyde G. and Myrtle A. Herrington. Upon graduation from Lufkin High School in 1943 he joined the United States Army. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a Sergeant in the Infantry and served his country for three years in the Philippine Islands and the Quartermaster Corp in Korea.

Following his discharge from the army in October of 1946, he enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University where he earned both Bachelor of Science in math and history and Master of Education degrees. He received his Doctorate in Counseling and Educational Psychology at Baylor University. To encourage others to seek higher education he endowed two scholarships at Baylor.

His career began in Hudson – a rural consolidated school district in East Texas where he taught math and also coached the girls’ basketball team. From there he moved to Kilgore and taught Jr. High math , served as a school counselor and drove a school bus for the school district. In 1954 he met Mary Lee Sowders who was teaching fifth grade at Elder Elementary. After dating three months, they were married on December 19, 1954.

In 1961 Bill and Mary moved to Corsicana. Bill was a Counselor and Academic Advisor and Mary taught Educational Psychology at Navarro Junior College. While working at Navarro, Bill and Mary began their doctoral program at Baylor University. In 1967 they were the first married couple in Baylor history to receive their Doctorate degree on the same day.

Bill finished his career at Baylor University where he taught counseling and educational psychology courses and was an academic advisor. He also served as the certification officer for the School of Education. He retired in 1989.

After retirement he fulfilled a lifetime dream to own a farm. He and Mary bought land in Birome where they spent many hours building a home and raising cattle. He received the Land Stewardship award from the American Angus Association in 1992. He served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Angus Association and became President in 2001 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also recognized for his service to the Jr. Angus Association. One source of great pride was his involvement with the FFA, where he provided heifers for the youth to show.

He and Mary have been members of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for over 40 years. He was a Director of an Adult Sunday School Department and Assistant Bible Study teacher for a number of years. He was named Sr. Adult of the Year in 1998.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Myrtle Herrington and his brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Marie Herrington.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Lee Sowders Herrington. Nephews, Clyde Herrington and wife Karol Sue, Robert Kinsey, Greg Kinsey and wife Sandy, and niece, Leanne Kinsey Ivey. Fifteen great nieces and nephews and eighteen great - great nieces and nephews. Brother-in-law David Sowders and wife Denise.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution be made to Wesley Woods Alzheimer’s Care Facility, 1700 Woodgate Dr, Waco, TX 76712.