Billy Gene Michael

Our dear father, Billy Gene Michael, 81, of Columbia, South Carolina, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 4, 2016, after a very brave long-term battle with both cancer and Parkinson's. He was born on February 28, 1935, in Rienzi, Mississippi, to the late William Lee Michael and Willie Storey Michael. Raised in Blytheville, Arkansas, he graduated from Blytheville High School in 1954.He earned a football scholarship to the University of Arkansas and was selected as Co -Captain of Frank Broyles first team during his senior year.He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Army ROTC, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1959. He proudly served in the Army Reserves as a Commissioned Officer, First Lieutenant Infantry from graduation until 1969, serving on active duty during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. March 30, 1961, he married his biggest fan and strongest supporter, Gail Stevenson of Port Arthur, Texas. Together they would go on to dedicate their lives to the coaching and development of thousands of young men through football programs at Sherman (TX) High School, Amarillo (TX) Caprock High School, Texas Western University/University of Texas at El Paso, the University of Oklahoma, the University of South Carolina, the University of Texas, Purdue University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Oklahoma State University, and the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.Dad most lovingly called the Denton, Texas community his home as his final coaching stop and place of retirement, with many wonderful friends and university associates he cherished deeply. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016 at Temples Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212, with burial to follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens. His nephew, Reverend Chas Stevenson of Houston, TX will be officiating. Visitation is scheduled on Thursday, March 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Survivors include his children, Elizabeth Michael of Columbia; his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Julie Michael of Carmel, IN; grandchildren, Andrew Michael and Patrick Michael of Carmel, IN; his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Susan Michael of Glendale, AZ; six nieces and three nephews; and a special friend, Kay Chiles of Jefferson City, Missouri.Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Gail, and two loving sisters, Janet Battles and Judy Belknap, both of Osceola, AR.