Billy Norris

Obituaries

May 6, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Billy Mack Norris, 78, passed away on May 1, 2014, at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita.

Bill was born on May 15, 1935, at Scammon, the son of James O. and Helen G. (Thomas) Norris. He grew up in Scammon and graduated from West Mineral High School in 1953; high school began Bill’s sports career as he earned All-State Honors in football and basketball.

After high school Bill attended the University of Denver on a football scholarship. He later returned to Kansas to play football at Pittsburg State Teacher’s College. While in Pittsburg Bill worked at the Quinn Funeral Home and the White Grill. He played football and basketball at Parsons Junior College before returning to school at Pittsburg State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education and later a master’s degree and EDS specialty degree.

On June 29, 1957, Bill married Nancy J. (Larson) in Miami, Okla. Bill and Nancy were married for just over 50 years. The couple was blessed with five children, Mike, Cindy, Kathy, Tim, and, Nancy Anne; and then later 12 grandchildren, Megan, William (Billy), Anastaisa, Cindy, John, Chris, Cody, James, Ian, Rebecca, Danielle and Scooby; and nine great-grandchildren, Maddie, Lucy, Robert, Draven, Lauren, Emily, McCartney, Jacen and Kairi.

Bill began his teaching career at Stillwell and then Adrian, Mo. He then moved on to teach and coach for 10 years at South East High School in Cherokee, before serving as principal there for 10 years. Later, from 1974 to 1976, he served as high school principal in Yates Center and then continued to work for USD 366 serving as superintendent of Yates Center schools until his retirement in 2001.

After his retirement Bill remained active in the community. He often attended Yates Center athletic events as well as other area sporting events. He was a member of United Methodist Church in Yates Center. In 2012, Bill moved from Yates Center to Meadow’s Retirement Center in Burlington. He then moved to live with each of his three daughters.

Billy Mack Norris was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Nancy on Feb. 23, 2008; brothers James, Oliver and Roy Norris; sisters Helen Johnson, Esther Stancik, Betty Jo McGiven and Peggy Trichner; also by daughter-in-law Marjorie Norris on Aug. 24, 2006, and grandson-in-law Gerald Shafer. He is survived by his children Mike Norris and wife Laura, Cherryvale, Cynthia “Cindy” Harvey and husband Henry, Douglas, Timothy Norris and wife Ann, Hockwold, England, Nancy Harman, Valley Center, and Kathy Linde and husband Mike, Junction City. Bill is also survived by a brother, Francis Norris and wife Louise, Altamont, as well as by 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, four sister-in-laws, Kathy Norris, Omaha, Neb., Pat Norris, Wichita, Mary Saporito, Pittsburg, and Patricia Thompson and husband Kent, Lawrence; also by brother-in-law Bill Meyer and wife Barbara, Weir. Bill Norris is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Billy Mack Norris will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at Norris Gymnasium, Yates Center High School. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Bird Cemetery, Weir. The family will meet with friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, at Campbell Funeral Home, Yates Center. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church, Yates Center, KS and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home P.O. Box 188 Yates Center, KS 66783.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related
May 26, 2012
February 28, 2012
September 8, 2010
June 12, 2010