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Billy E. Laird

May 7, 1944 - June 11, 2015

visitation

Visitation
Location Not Available
Sunday 6/14, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

service

Service
Location Not Available
Monday 6/15, 10:00 am
Location Not Available
Monday 6/15

A Celebration of Life Service for Billy E. Laird, age 71, of Ruston will be 10:00 A. M. Monday, June 15, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. Coach Ed Colvin will officiate the service. Interment will follow in Pines Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA. Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Sunday, June 14, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Ruston, LA.Billy was born on May 7, 1944 in Shreveport, LA and passed away June 11, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Louise Laird. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 49 years, Brenda Boyette Laird; daughter, Kim Anderson and husband Baron and granddaughters, Keelie (21) and Kenzie (17); son, Brad Laird and wife Renee and grandchildren, Brianna (12) and Brock (8). He is also survived by his brother Glenn Laird and wife Rhonda; sister, Ann Morgan; and numerous nieces and nephews.Billy had a legendary football career as the first in line of great quarterbacks at Woodlawn High School where he led the team to a monumental district championship and graduated in 1962. Then onto Louisiana Tech University where he was a three-time record setting and all conference star with more than 4,000 passing yards. He led his team to a conference title and a nearly perfect season. Billy also starred on the baseball diamond at Louisiana Tech as a 3 year letterman who still holds the career triple record. In the 1966 AFL Draft, Billy was drafted by the Boston (New England) Patriots in the 15th round and played one season with the Patriots.Billy also had an equally legendary and long football coaching career. His coaching career began at the University of Arkansas and continued onto New Mexico State, University of Tulane, Northwestern State University and Louisiana Tech University. He took time out from coaching and went into sales and watched his son quarterback Ruston High to two state championships and a 31-1 record. Billy and his wife Brenda moved to Nashville, Arkansas to become Head Coach and Athletic Director where he built a championship program and was referred to as Dr. Offense. While in Nashville, he led the Scrappers to 5 State Championship games including the 1996 class AA State title finishing 15-0. His teams advanced to the state playoffs each season reaching the quarterfinals 11 times, semifinals 9 times and state championship games 5 times in only 12 seasons (1992-2003). He returned to Ruston to be near his four grandchildren as Head Coach from 2004-2012. He continued as Athletic Director at Ruston High School from 2012 present. Billy was a friend and an admirer to teammates, fellow coaches, teachers, and administrators at every stop along his outstanding career.Billy was all about four F football, fishing, friends, and . . . . family.Pallbearers will be Randy Crouch, J.P. Dunbar, Joe Ferguson, Bobby Hebert, Bill Johnson, David Jones, Joe Jones, Gary Morgan, Stan Powell, and A.L. Williams.Honorary pallbearers will be all former players, coaches, and teammates.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Visitation
Location Not Available
Sunday 6/14, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Service
Location Not Available
Monday 6/15, 10:00 am
Location Not Available
Monday 6/15

A Celebration of Life Service for Billy E. Laird, age 71, of Ruston will be 10:00 A. M. Monday, June 15, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. Coach Ed Colvin will officiate the service. Interment will follow in Pines Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA. VisitationContinue Reading

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Mary Allen Harper left a message on June 19, 2015:
Brenda,I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. My deepest sympathy to you and your family during such a difficult time. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ellace Bruce left a message on June 18, 2015:
Brenda, you and your family are in our prayers. God will comfort you in the days ahead. Enjoyed Bill's friendship these many years.
Jeff McBride left a message on June 15, 2015:
My thoughts and prayers have been with the Laird family for the past several weeks. The selfishness in me wanted other young coaches to be able to learn the way I did from the very best there was in the business. Knowing that we have no control.....I have settled in my mind that there will still be young coaches learning from the ones that learned from the best there was. It still will never be the same. "Enjoy what you do because it's a lot more fun for everybody" Thanks Coach! You'll be a part of me for the rest of my life. Thinking of the Laird family! Jeff McBride
Philip Neaville left a message on June 15, 2015:
God Bless his family, It was a short lived aquaintance for me and I was happy to have known him in our short time of friendship.PhilipRuston High Chain Gang
Neil left a message on June 15, 2015:
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Billy. I offer my condolences to the family during your time of bereavement. The Bible is very comforting during times like this because God knows our pain. He has made promises regarding our loved ones at Isaiah 26:19 and Revelation 21:3,4. Soon, all things causing pain including death will be done away with on earth. May you find the strength to endure in the days ahead.
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Charlie Harrell left a message on June 15, 2015:
Billy was one of my first "Sports Hero's" learned lots from his example - He will be missed but I will not hesitate to use his example towards life to young people fighting for a place in life..
Rose Mary Vollmering and Ken Scott left a message on June 14, 2015:
Remembering this family in our prayers at this very sad time.
Brett Lemoine left a message on June 14, 2015:
Brad, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Elaine Young Davis & Kenny Davis left a message on June 14, 2015:
Brenda out thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God be with yall.
David Roach left a message on June 14, 2015:
Brenda,You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your precious husband was loved and respected and admired by so many. His loss is deeply felt.
Patsy Reynaud Rosa left a message on June 14, 2015:
Your family and you will be in my prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Sandi Tison Atkinson left a message on June 14, 2015:
Brenda and family, we are so sorry for the loss of Billy--a wonderful man, a great athlete and coach--but most of all a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. May the Lord's comfort sustain you and give you a measure of peace. With great affection, Sandi
Coach Ted Green left a message on June 13, 2015:
To the Laird Family, you all have our deepest sympathy in the loss of Coach Laird. I truly enjoyed coaching with him in Nashville and it was an honor to have him coaching both of our sons. May God bless each and every one of you and give you strength to endure during this difficult time. Ted & Cheryl Green, Travell Green, Jeremy Ricks & Anastasia Marshall of Nashville, Arkansas.
Scott Abernathy left a message on June 13, 2015:
Coach was always a great mentor to young coaches. Thanks Coach for making me a better coach and person.AB
Ron Newberry left a message on June 13, 2015:
God bless you and keep you safe and sound! I want to let Billy's family and friends that all of the Knights in those first 3 years are mourning the first great QB and friend.
Janice Brower left a message on June 13, 2015:
I'm so sorry for your lost. Your family is in my prayers.
Cookie Hollowell-Agan left a message on June 13, 2015:
Our love and prayers are with you all. Billy Earl and I grew up together. I introduced he and Brenda at my 15th birthday party and was blessed to be in their wedding. Good friends. Good times. Good memories.
Keith Annison left a message on June 13, 2015:
As we progress through our lifetimes we rarely encounter a long time friend like Billy Earl. I remember our youth baseball years around Laird's Grocery and the many happy times we all had together. All the Annison's in Jackson MS send our condolences and prayers to Brenda and their family.
Jerry Downing left a message on June 13, 2015:
We will miss Billy Earl , (as a lot of folks knew him by ) . Billy was a great friend for many years and will be deeply missed . My prayers go out to Brenda , and the family. May God give you all comfort at this time .
Joe E McCarty left a message on June 13, 2015:
I am very sadden by the death of Billy Earl, he was an inspiring influence on my life and the life, I am sure, of many. My heart, prayers, and thoughts are with his family
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Jeanne Annison Peet left a message on June 13, 2015:
So sorry to hear of Billy's passing. Thinking of you at this time.
Dwight & Barbara Collier left a message on June 13, 2015:
Brenda, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this most sad time. May God bless you.
Tom Livingston left a message on June 12, 2015:
Being just six months younger and going to Woodlawn at the same time as Billy, makes me realize just how precious, and perhaps short, life really is. He had a terrific game plan and played the real game well. My thoughts and prayers are for his family. Go Knight!!
Laura Vaughan left a message on June 12, 2015:
Coach Laird was so good to me when my son,Curtis Foltz, passed away. He, the rest of the coaching staff, and the Scrapper football team helped me survive such a hard time in my life! My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Laird and the rest of his family.
Joe, Sandy & Cinjon Brown left a message on June 12, 2015:
What a great influence he was in the lives of so many! Prayers for the family.
Tiffany Hill left a message on June 12, 2015:
Keeping you and the family in my prayers during this difficult time.
Mark n Donnie Bartlett left a message on June 12, 2015:
He was a great man , our thoughts are with the family, his kindness will always be remembered.
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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