Billy John McDonald RIP

Harry · July 2, 2014

Billy John McDonald, 64, of Denton died Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Graveside service was June 28 at Cooper Creek Cemetery in Denton with burial under the direction of DeBerry Funeral Directors of Denton.

McDonald was born Dec. 6, 1950, in Decatur to the late John Minis and Barbara McDonald. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1968 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Business from North Texas State University (now UNT) at Denton.

He married Darline McDonald Nov. 22, 1969. He was in material management until he retired in 2012 from Peterbuilt Motor Co.

McDonald was an avid football player and fan. He played football at Decatur High School from 1964 to 1968, at Henderson Community College in 1968-1969 and at NTSU from 1969 to 1974. He had a love for working with his children and being part of their activities. He was a youth coach from 1987 to 1993 and was awarded the Most Winning Coach each year.

Read more: http://www.wcmessenger.com/2014/deaths/obits/billy-john-mcdonald/

SilverEagle · July 3, 2014

Obviously not many people know who John McDonald is. He came to North Texas after two years at Henderson County CC. I don't know how much playing time he put in here at NT.

I grew up around John in Decatur and I never knew that his first name was "Billy". It was always "John"....or "Big John"....or (when he was playing football)..."Booger". At 6'3" X 240lbs (HS weigh) John was an all state OL/DL for Decatur. He anchored a line that took Decatur into the playoffs all three years that he started (65-67). The last two years going to regional before losing to Plano. But if you had ever asked him, he would have told you that his greatest football memories were beating our arch rival Jacksboro. In a three year stretch 65-67, Jacksboro had a record of 27-3...guess who those three losses were to? John, like a lot of players that played 2-A (now 3-A) football played iron man (both ways) football.

John was not only a great football player for Decatur, he was also one of the most hard working individuals I have ever known. Before he was able to drive he walked around the town with his mower and mowed yards. When he was old enough to drive he bought his own pickup with his mowing earnings and hauled hay every summer until he left for college. John was the kind of kid/person that every parent hopes to raise, and he was a dream football player for his coach.....Bill Davis.

We were not friends, but I always held John in high regard as a person.

RIP "Big" John.

Edited July 3, 2014 by SilverEagle