Bill G. Pringle – Stephenville Empire-Tribune
August 12, 1934 October 13, 2022
Longtime, former football coach, Bill Pringle passed from life here on earth Oct.13, 2022 at 88 years of age. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and diabetes to the very end. He was born on Aug. 12, 1934, in Abilene, TX to Erna Mae and Walter Odis Pringle. Coach Pringle was best known for his years as a college and high school football coach in Texas. While head football coach of the Tarleton Texans from 1985-87, he compiled a winning record of 21-11-1. He was inducted into the Tarleton State University Hall of Fame, along with his storied team from the 1986 season in May of 2022. He was so proud of this honor and for the team winning the Sunflower Bowl in 1986, but more importantly that his players were honored. It was his goal to be able to attend this ceremony, and to see over 70 of his former players, coaches, family, and friends from TSU in attendance! In 1987, he also led the Texans into the NAIA football playoffs. He always said, “I am only successful because I had outstanding players and the best assistant coaches!”. His successes as a high school coach in Texas included stints as the head football coach in Albany, Forney, Bonham, Clarksville, and Marlin. He also coached at Haskell High School. A 1953 graduate of Clyde High School in Clyde, TX, he excelled in all sports. After high school, he attended Cal-State University Stanislaus in Stockton, CA, where he played baseball and earned a bachelor’s degree. Years later, he earned a master’s degree from Tarleton State University. He also served his country in the Naval Reserves.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister Arminda who died as an infant. He is survived by his loving wife of thirty years, Susanne Munn Bumpus of Lampasas, TX, and her three sons Rob, Rex, and Ron. His daughter Tricia Gary and husband Glen of Ardmore, OK, his son Billy Pringle and wife Sheri of Georgetown, TX, and son Richard Pringle and wife Cayce of Comanche, TX. He is also survives lord said ud by his children’s mother Sally Ratliff, of Stephenville, TX. He loved all his grandchildren including Lauren Gary Gay, Landon & Jordan Gary, Jonathan Pringle, and Brady & Kayla Pringle. He also had 6 greatgrandchildren, Jackson, Weston, Hunter, Brady Caye, Declan, and Carson. Coach Pringle is also survived by 6 loving brothers and sisters including June Reese and husband Charles, Catty Ingram and husband Phil, Peggy Loftis and husband Bill, Terry Pringle and wife Jana, Tim Pringle and wife Pam, and Kathy McCullough and husband Mark. He leaves behind a large number of nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved so very much! To his final breath, all his family looked up to him and will miss his guidance and telling them “This is what you should do.” Coach Pringle is also survived by the hundreds of “sons” who were fortunate to play for him and will carry his legacy on for generations to come.
A memorial service officiated by long-time friend Jerry Perkins for Coach Pringle will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, Oct.17, 2022 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Home Chapel, 201 E. 3rd Street, in Lampasas, TX. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas following the memorial service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the memorial service beginning at 11:30 AM. Pallbearers will be Landon Gary, Jordan Gary, Jonathan Pringle, Brady Pringle, Todd Pringle, Matt Pringle, Seth Shortes, and Jeremy Gay. Honorary pallbearers include all former players and assistant coaches. Memorial contributions may be made to Tarleton State University Athletics in Honor of Coach Bill Pringle online at https://donate.tarleton.edu/o/tarleton-university/i/ evergreen/s/tarleton-sports. Or mailed to: Tarleton State University, Office of Development, Box T-0415, Stephenville, TX, 76401. Please state that you are honoring Coach Bill Pringle. Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at: https://www. sneedfuneralchapel.com/obits
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Matthew 25:23.