Roll Call Tribute

Obituary sent by family member

William Charles Batey Sr.

1923-2014

William (Bill) C. Batey Sr. passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at William Courtney Veteran's Hospital in Temple, Texas.  

Coach, as he was lovingly called, was born on November 23, 1923 in Moulton, Texas, where he lived his childhood and teenage years.  He discovered and fell in love with the game of basketball while playing for his Bobkatz high school team. After graduation and a short stint at the University of Texas, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy.  While serving his country
during World War II, he continued his basketball career as a member of the Kingsville NAS team. After his service with the Navy ended, he received a basketball scholarship to Texas A&M University, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The best part of his college experience was undoubtedly meeting the love of his life and future wife, Mary Frances.  Together they would begin a journey of highs and lows, but one never lacking in love and respect.  A coaching odyssey that would span close to 50 years began in his hometown in 1949-50. His Bobkatz reached the state finals in the 1951-52 season.  Alice High School would be the next stop on his quest for basketball excellence.  In two years he led Alice to its only boys' district championship in school history. Another South Texas school district sought his skills as a coach in 1953. This union between coach and school led to an unprecedented success on the court, eventually reaching the highest pinnacle attainable in competition, a state championship and honored by the Texas Sports Writers Association as
High School Basketball Coach of The Year in 1956.  The Tigers, though undersized against
opponents, won in completing a dream season. In 1959, proudly carrying the Laredo banner, the Tigers returned to Austin vying for another title.  A new opportunity and challenge presented itself in 1964 with the opening of Laredo's second high school, J.W. Nixon.  Nothing suited Coach better than the next shot to guide and shape another group of young athletes.  For 13 years Coach paced the sidelines at Nixon, and after 25 wonderful years in Laredo, in 1977, he accepted a position with Tuloso-Midway in Corpus Christi.  In 1980 a move to Flour Bluff High School brought two more trips to the boys'state basketball championships.  Then In 1986, after his retirement, Laredo beckoned him again.  From 1986-91 at United High School, Coach had great pleasure commanding his team from the bench or on the practice court. With gas still in his basketball tank, Coach Batey welcomed the chance to assist the United girls' from 1991-96.

Aside from coaching, Bill also enjoyed his time as a classroom teacher and driving instructor. In the classroom, he had the opportunity to touch the lives of many.  He always believed there was greatness in everyone and tried to bring out that potential. Many driver's ed students, both through the school district or privately, learned how to navigate the roads knowlegeably and safely.

Coach Batey strived continuously to motivate his players to improve in all facets of the game.  He often imparted wisdom on how to live one's life through hard work and determination. The game usually has an emphasis on winning and losing but Coach was always interested in the process that preceded the games and letting the results take care of themselves.  It was the preparation and the challenge of finding out what worked that was the fun part of the game. For those of us that knew him the best, he was always thinking of the best way to create something new on offense or designing a defensive scheme to befuddle the opponent. He
always maintained the philosophy that players don't lose games, but that coaches do. His players always held a special place in his heart.

He felt lucky that he coached at Martin High School where head coaches like Coach Ochoa, Coach Voelkel and Coach Valls affably shared athletes without reservation. The athletes, not the sport, were the most important reason that they coached.  The respect held by each coach for the other's sport was apparent through cooperation not coercion or position of authority.  He felt like part of a coaching family, each coach in agreement that every sport would not be subservient to another.  No one sport would dominate a multi-sport athlete's time, because it was deemed more important than the other sports by a head coach or athletic director or campus coordinator.  Regretfully, this philosophy changed with other staffs in which he was a part, but he continued to encourage his players to compete in other sports.

Bill was a gregarious person, who enjoyed his friends as well as making new acquaintances.  He was at ease in any company, always self-effacing; comfortable in his skin. If you knew him, he was your friend.  He loved to dance and spent many a weekend night enjoying an evening at the Elk's Lodge.

Bill is proceeded in death by his mother:  Julia Krecji Batey, father: Edward Batey, Sisters: Lillian Guidry and Betty Jane McPhee, brothers:  Harvey Batey and Mickey Batey, children:
Michael Batey, Kathleen Batey Bane and Bruce Batey, daughter-in-law: Andrea Cobos Batey.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years: Mary Frances Batey, children: Karen (Lance) Sindo, William C. Batey Jr., Robert (Jennifer) Batey, Julie(Adolfo) Laurel and Sandra (Larry) Rutgers, and Peggy Kowis Batey.

Grandchildren: Jason (Rose)Bane, Jennifer (Jeff)Cox, William C. Batey III, Karol Ann Batey, Elizabeth(Nathan) Ward, Robert F. Batey, Salathiel (Gabriela) Hale, Samantha(Bowen) Trammell, Andrew J. Batey, William Laurel, Derek Hale, Jesse Rutgers, Audrey Batey and Lillian Rutgers.

Great grandchildren: Connor and Brooke Cox, Lucy Dibble, Adelaide Bane, Vasthi and Hannah
Hale and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Our most humble and sincere thanks to William Courtney Veterans' Hospital, Southern Health Care, and especially Denise who took excellent care of our father until his passing.

A private ceremony was held for the family in Austin, Texas and a memorial will be held in Laredo; date pending.