H.R. No. 1408
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of Wilford F. Pickard Jr. of College
Station on March 9, 2015, at the age of 81, has brought a great loss
to the Texas A&M University community; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio on October 31, 1933, to Wilford
Pickard and Katherine Bossy, "Billy" Pickard graduated from Central
Catholic High School and subsequently enrolled at A&M; he joined
the Aggie football program as a student trainer, and he worked in
that capacity under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant until he
completed his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1956; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pickard began his professional career as the
head athletic trainer at Port Arthur and Brazosport High Schools
before returning to College Station in 1965 to take over as head
athletic trainer for the football team; over the ensuing five
decades, he took on an ever-increasing number of responsibilities
within the A&M athletic department, serving as the school's
equipment manager, assistant athletic director for training,
equipment, and facilities, and associate athletic director for
facilities; he was named senior associate athletic director for
facilities in 1994, and in this role he helped coordinate the
construction of the Bright Football Complex, Nye Academic Center,
and the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan officially retired in 2009, but
he continued to be a familiar and welcome presence on the A&M
campus; affectionately known as the "Keeper of Kyle Field," he
would often arrive at 6 a.m. to check on the stadium, and he was a
fixture and frequent speaker at Aggie football practices in recent
seasons; Mr. Pickard also lent his support to the school's other
athletic programs, attending myriad baseball and basketball games;
and
WHEREAS, Highly respected by players and peers alike,
Mr. Pickard held a number of important leadership positions within
the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, and the organization
honored him for his many contributions with the prestigious Frank
Medina Award in 1984; he was inducted into the National Athletic
Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 1985, and he was a member of
the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association Hall of Honor; moreover, he
received well-deserved recognition for his dedicated efforts in
behalf of the university when the school declared October 10, 2009,
as Billy Pickard Day at Kyle Field; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Pickard enjoyed the
love and support of his wife, Linda, and their six children, Kevin,
Joe, Janet, John, Jean, and Joy, and he later knew the joy of
welcoming two additional generations into his cherished family; and
WHEREAS, Billy Pickard made a positive difference in
countless lives during his exemplary service to Texas A&M
University, and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts
of his loved ones and Aggies everywhere; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Billy Pickard and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife
of 43 years, Linda Pickard; to his children, Kevin Pickard and his
wife, Amy, Joe Pickard and his wife, Jan, Janet Bausch, John Pickard
and his wife, Diane, Jean Carter and her husband, Jeff, and Joy
Crowl and her husband, Mark; to his grandchildren and his
great-granddaughter; to his brother, Robert Pickard, and his wife,
Mary; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Billy
Pickard.
Kacal
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1408 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 16, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House