Dr. Bill Waldron Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dr. Billy (Bill) Gene Waldron Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher and friend Family graveside services for Billy (Bill) Gene Waldron will be officiated by Foree Grove and held on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at the Oakwood Cemetery-Mayes Addition. He will lie in state at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Huntsville, Texas, on Friday, May 8, 2020 for those that wish to pay their respects. A celebration of Bill’s life will be scheduled at a later date due to the family’s desire to adhere to the current recommendations regarding large gatherings. Bill was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas on January 2, 1932 the son of William (Bill) Henry Waldron and Cona Jean Pace Waldron Upshaw and Willard Upshaw. He passed away after a long battle with Parkinsons on May 4, 2020, while residing at the Centerville Health Care Center. Bill was reared in Pocahontas and loved to reflect on his relationship with both sets of grandparents, his adventures with his friends, and his love for the Razorbacks. He attended undergraduate school at Abilene Christian College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1953. He continued his education at the University of Texas, where he was awarded a Masters Degree in Education Administration, and North Texas State where he received his doctorate. Bill began his high school teaching career in Monahans, Texas and studied at the University of Texas during the summers. Bill proposed to his college sweetheart and married Betty Charlene Hart in Abilene, Texas in 1953. After obtaining his masters degree at the University of Texas, he and his family (which included three children) moved to Denton, Texas, so that he could attend North Texas State and pursue his Doctor of Education in 1965 while teaching high school full time. In 1965, Bill and his family of four moved to Huntsville, Texas where he began his 30 plus year career as a professor and served as chair of the Psychology Department and later of the Education Department of Sam Houston State University (SHSU). He and Betty raised their four children in Huntsville. Bill and Betty co-founded the Frances Elmer Centre for Learning where Bill served as an administrator and Betty taught. He was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserves. Bill was a faithful and dedicated servant of Christ at the Huntsville Church of Christ for over 52 years where he served as deacon and elder. He missed the church greatly when he could no longer physically attend. After 50 years of marriage, Betty passed away unexpectedly in 2002 while she and Bill were traveling in Vermont. In 2004, Bill married Darleen Barger Waldron of Centerville, Texas. He and Darleen spent 16 years together in Centerville, where they shared their love of raising cattle, traveling, and entertaining family and friends. Darleen devoted herself to caring for, nurturing and visiting with Bill everyday of their marriage. Known to many as “PawPaw”, Bill is survived by his wife Darleen Barger Waldron, his children and step-children and their spouses. Mark and Nancy Waldron of Huntsville, Dianne and Alan Hess of Humble, David and Tracy Waldron of Bastrop, Elizabeth and John Cole of Huntsville, Kathy Barger Hollomon and her husband Scott, and Donna Barger Everett and her husband Gary. His grandchildren include Tommy and Brice Waldron, Lisa and Luke Mahaffey, Adam Hess, Stephan and Lauren Hess, Nicholas and Emily Hess, Sarah and Phillip Scheid, Megan Waldron, Jacob Cole, Leah Waldron, Morgan Cole and Nathan Cole. His great-grandchildren include Davis Mahaffey, Tate Waldron, Vivian Mahaffey, Sloane Waldron and Pace Hess. And, his dedicated care taker Karen Stott. Bill exhibited his love for Christ through his devotion to his family, friends and students. He was awarded Sam Houston State University Outstanding Professor of the Year in 1971. He loved “teaching teachers to be teachers” and impacted many while teaching and serving his church family. He never met a stranger and strived to be a “peace maker”. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be presented to Children’s Home, Inc. located in Paragould, Arkansas. Memorial gifts may be made online at childrenshomes.org or can be mailed to Children’s Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.

Dr. Bill Waldron

January 2, 1932 - May 4, 2020