Billy E. Laird

A Celebration of Life Service for Billy E. Laird, age 71, of Ruston will be 10 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 p.m. until 7 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 three 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, Ark. 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 five 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 nine times and state championship games five 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's – 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.