H.R. No. 1408

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of Wilford F. Pickard Jr. of College
	Station on March 9, 2015, at the age of 81, has brought a great loss
	to the Texas A&M University community; and
	WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio on October 31, 1933, to Wilford
	Pickard and Katherine Bossy, "Billy" Pickard graduated from Central
	Catholic High School and subsequently enrolled at A&M; he joined
	the Aggie football program as a student trainer, and he worked in
	that capacity under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant until he
	completed his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1956; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Pickard began his professional career as the
	head athletic trainer at Port Arthur and Brazosport High Schools
	before returning to College Station in 1965 to take over as head
	athletic trainer for the football team; over the ensuing five
	decades, he took on an ever-increasing number of responsibilities
	within the A&M athletic department, serving as the school's
	equipment manager, assistant athletic director for training,
	equipment, and facilities, and associate athletic director for
	facilities; he was named senior associate athletic director for
	facilities in 1994, and in this role he helped coordinate the
	construction of the Bright Football Complex, Nye Academic Center,
	and the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan officially retired in 2009, but
	he continued to be a familiar and welcome presence on the A&M
	campus; affectionately known as the "Keeper of Kyle Field," he
	would often arrive at 6 a.m. to check on the stadium, and he was a
	fixture and frequent speaker at Aggie football practices in recent
	seasons; Mr. Pickard also lent his support to the school's other
	athletic programs, attending myriad baseball and basketball games;
	and
	WHEREAS, Highly respected by players and peers alike,
	Mr. Pickard held a number of important leadership positions within
	the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, and the organization
	honored him for his many contributions with the prestigious Frank
	Medina Award in 1984; he was inducted into the National Athletic
	Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 1985, and he was a member of
	the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association Hall of Honor; moreover, he
	received well-deserved recognition for his dedicated efforts in
	behalf of the university when the school declared October 10, 2009,
	as Billy Pickard Day at Kyle Field; and
	WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Pickard enjoyed the
	love and support of his wife, Linda, and their six children, Kevin,
	Joe, Janet, John, Jean, and Joy, and he later knew the joy of
	welcoming two additional generations into his cherished family; and
	WHEREAS, Billy Pickard made a positive difference in
	countless lives during his exemplary service to Texas A&M
	University, and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts
	of his loved ones and Aggies everywhere; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Billy Pickard and
	extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife
	of 43 years, Linda Pickard; to his children, Kevin Pickard and his
	wife, Amy, Joe Pickard and his wife, Jan, Janet Bausch, John Pickard
	and his wife, Diane, Jean Carter and her husband, Jeff, and Joy
	Crowl and her husband, Mark; to his grandchildren and his
	great-granddaughter; to his brother, Robert Pickard, and his wife,
	Mary; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it
	further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
	Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Billy
	Pickard.
	Kacal
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 1408 was unanimously adopted by a
	rising vote of the House on April 16, 2015.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House