Billy Mac “Doc” Belding was born in Addine, Mississippi, on October 12, 1933 and died peacefully on September 1, 2023.

It was evident early in Billy’s life that he possessed an incredible athletic ability. By the time he finished Heidelberg High School, he was excelling in three different sports: basketball, where he long held the record for the most points scored in a single game; football, where he lettered all four years and held the record for the longest run for a touchdown from the line of scrimmage (95 yards), and baseball, where he also lettered all four years and held the record for the most strikeouts in a single game. While in high school he was President of the Senior Class, President of the Student Body, and voted Most Handsome and Most Friendly (which does not surprise anyone who knew him!).

After graduating from Heidelberg High School, Billy attended Jones County Junior College for two years where he lettered in both basketball and baseball, and then enrolled in the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education while also lettering in baseball. After this time, he also served his country in the Army National Guard.

After graduating in 1960, he taught and coached at the high school level in both Mississippi and Louisiana, and in 1965 he accepted a job in Bastrop, Louisiana. It was here that he met the love of his life, Rita Bounds, whom he married on June 8, 1968. This past June they celebrated 55 wonderful years of marriage.

After two years at Bastrop, Billy left to become a graduate assistant in track at Louisiana Tech and to begin working on his master’s degree.  During this time, he coached the 1968 Cross Country team to the national finals in Chicago, Illinois.

After receiving his degree at Louisiana Tech, Billy accepted a job at Ruston High School where he coached boys and girls track and later became the athletic trainer.  During his time at Ruston High, he had very successful track teams, winning four district championships and placing 2nd in the state in boys’ track and winning a district championship in girls’ track.  He was named “District Coach of the Year” four times.

In 1973, Coach Maxie Lambright, head football coach and athletic director at Louisiana Tech, approached Billy about coming back to Tech as the athletic trainer.  He took the job and that same year the Bulldogs won the National Championship in Sacramento, California.  It was during those years of keeping the athletes well and rehabilitated that Billy became affectionately known as “Doc” and that became the name many in the Ruston community continued to call him. A number of the athletes he worked with during his years at Louisiana Tech went on to make names for themselves in professional careers: Roland Harper, Chicago Bears; Roger Carr, Baltimore Colts; Mike Barber, Houston Oilers; Pat Tilley, St. Louis Cardinals; and Fred Dean, San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers.  While at Tech he was instrumental in starting the Louisiana Tech Lettermen’s Club, recruiting nearly 300 lettermen from all sports. Billy stayed with Tech for four years.  By this time he and Rita had two children, DeAnn and Damon, and he decided to go back into high school coaching in order to have more time for his family.

Through the years people were constantly asking Billy’s advice on treatments for athletic injuries, and out of this demand he opened the Billy Belding Fitness Center in 1985 where he found much satisfaction in helping the members of his community.

Throughout their marriage, Billy and Rita have been rooted in their Christian faith and have been members of Temple Baptist Church for 46 years where Billy served as a deacon, an usher, and on several committees. He loved his church and his church family and was well-loved in return.  Billy and Rita have both been active participants in so many events and activities through the years and have lived out their faith with grace and commitment.

After retiring in 1990, Billy became a member of the Senior Citizens on Patrol (SCOP) which gave him the opportunity to continue serving his community. He also loved playing golf and spent many relaxing hours after retirement with friends on the golf course.  He loved canning fruits and vegetables, much of which he gave away to family and friends.  He loved his family and spent many precious hours visiting with his children and grandchildren who were his pride and joy.  His favorite activity, however, was just visiting period.  He was never too busy to stop and talk to friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers, always parting ways with “I love you”. He could tell a great story and loved sharing his experiences with others.

Billy was loved and admired by all who knew him.  As a teacher, coach, and athletic trainer, Billy touched the lives of numerous young people through the years, guiding them with patience and experience, modeling Christian ideals and principles, and sending them out better men and women for having known him.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin Eugene Belding, Sr. and Martha Louise Belding; brother, Benjamin Eugene Belding, Jr. and wife Flora; and brother, James Hillman Belding, Sr. and wife Jackie, and longtime beloved friend Norris Wayne “Bud” Alexander.

Billy is survived by his wife Rita Bounds Belding; his daughter DeAnn Dean and husband Tommy of Frisco, TX; son Damon Belding and wife Leslie of Frisco, TX; grandchildren: Garrett Belding, Anna Claire, Carson, and Connor Dean.

Serving as pallbearers will be Garrett Belding, Carson Dean, Connor Dean, Ben Belding, JP Dunbar, and Kenny Lantrip. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Wayne “Buddy” Sauls, John Bloom, Temple Baptist Church Men’s Adult 7 Sunday School Class, and all of his former coaching colleagues.

Visitation will be held at Temple Baptist Church on Monday, September 4 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.  Funeral service will be held at Temple Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 5 at 10:00 AM with interment immediately following at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens all under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhome.com

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