Retired football coach Bill Pringle died on Oct. 13, 2022, at age 88 after a battle with cancer and diabetes.
He was born on Aug. 12, 1934, in Abilene 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 record of 21-11-1. In May 2022, he was inducted into the Tarleton State University Hall of Fame, along with his storied team from the 1986 season. He was 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 attend this ceremony, where over 70 of his former players, coaches, family and friends from TSU were in attendance.
In 1987, Pringle also led the Texans into the NAIA football playoffs. He attributed his success to outstanding players and the best assistant coaches.
He had been 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, Pringle excelled in all sports. After high school, he attended Cal-State University Stanislaus in Stockton, California, 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 one sister, Arminda, who died as an infant.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Susanne Munn Bumpus Pringle of Lampasas, and her three sons, Rob, Rex and Ron; his daughter, Tricia Gary, and husband Glen of Ardmore, Oklahoma; sons Billy Pringle and wife Sheri of Georgetown, and Richard Pringle and wife Cayce of Comanche; his children’s mother, Sally Ratliff, of Stephenville; grandchildren, including Lauren Gary Gay, Landon and Jordan Gary, Jonathan Pringle, and Brady and Kayla Pringle; six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Weston, Hunter, Brady Caye, Declan and Carson; and six siblings, 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; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, officiated by longtime friend Jerry Perkins, were held Oct. 17 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tarleton State University Athletics 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 donation is in memory of Coach Bill Pringle.
