Billy Wayne Dumas

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DUMAS

Billy Wayne Dumas, 83, of Gonzales, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017.  He was born October 23, 1933 in Stamford, Texas to Frank and Delpha May Davis Dumas.  He grew up in Donna, TX and graduated from Donna High School in 1951 where he had been a standout football player.  After graduation he attended Southwest Texas State Teacher’s College where he continued to play football.  He married his college sweetheart Billie Marie Wilson on December 17, 1954.  Billy received his Bachelor’s degree in 1955 and later earned his Master’s degree in Education Administration in 1960.  His first job was in Harlingen working with his high school coach from Donna.  His coaching career then took him to San Benito and on to San Antonio where he became head coach at McCollum High School.  Billy then decided to give up coaching that he so loved to try his hand in administration.  He went back to Donna as the Junior High School Principal. After a few years he went to Lockhart and became the high school principal.  Billy retired as the Karnes City High School Principal in 1989.  After he and his wife spent many years in education they decided to move to Billie’s hometown of Gonzales, Texas and live out their remaining years together.  He was member of the Gonzales Presbyterian Church.

During his career he worked in pool management, life guarding, teaching swimming lessons and Driver’s Education.  Billy also refereed basketball games for both boys and girls teams and served as president of the Rio Grande Valley Basketball Association.  One of his proudest moments came when he received a certificate for 40 years as a volunteer for the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin, Texas. 

Although sports consumed most of Bill’s life, he did commit his time to other interests he felt passionate about.  He was a member of the Lion’s Club, Kiwanis Club where he served on the Board of Directors, he was a Deacon of the Donna Presbyterian Church, President of the Donna High School Ex- Association and he had served as the Rotary Club President in Donna. 

Bill was definitely “old school”. He believed in discipline, but thought it could be done in a fair, kind and consistent manner and lamented that he probably couldn’t last in today’s school systems.  Bill was a man of action.  He was physically quick and used every minute intelligently to accomplish a task at hand.  He was highly competitive, winning was the only way.  He was an avid golfer and won many tournaments during his adult life.  Bill enjoyed family get-togethers, and he had a special place in his heart for animals, especially his last pet Fluffy.  

Bill is survived by his loving wife Billie and 2 adoring daughters, Donna Schmatz and her husband Jeff of McAllen, DiAnne Dumas-Young of Lockhart, grandsons, Jason Huebinger and his wife Yasmin of Houston, Dr. Ryan Huebinger and his wife Dr. Iona Chapman of Chicago, Jeremy Schmatz of McAllen and great-grandson, Jack Huebinger of Houston, sister in law, Sandra Zent from Austin, niece Michele Hirschhorn and family and a number of special cousins.  He was a preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Wanda and his brother-in-law, Ronnie Zent. 

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 in the Gonzales Hermann Sons Cemetery with Pastor Diana Whitely officiating.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons and the honorary pallbearers will be his Gonzales Morning Golf Group.   The family will receive friends Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Seydler Hill Funeral Home.  A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 in the Presbyterian Church with Pastor Diana Whitley officiating.  Friends may sign the guestbook by visiting www.seydlerhill funeralhome.com.   Memorials may be made to the Gonzales Presbyterian Church, the Friends of Gonzales Animal Shelter (FOGAS) or the charity of one’s choice. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.    

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