BILLY O. SCROGGINS
1930-2021
Billy O. Scroggins passed away on Friday, July 30th, 2021. He was born in Natchitoches, LA, and was preceded in death by his parents Bill & Ethel Scroggins, brother Jack & Louise, son David and brother-in-law Raul.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years Mary; son Paul & wife Lisa ; grandchildren Amanda & Diana, Sydney Wright, Jake & Dylan Scroggins, Jonny, Vincent & Nico; his dear sister Ethelyn & husband John; sisters-inlaw Maggy Bright with sons Anthony & Andrew from England, and Ritzuko from Missouri City; niece Tatiana.
Billy graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches in 1951. He served in the Navy aboard the “Gurke,” a Destroyer during the Korean War. He was a 1st Lieutenant LTJG when he resigned from the Navy in 1961. Billy was a member of the First Baptist Church.
In 1954, while on leave for Christmas from the Destroyer, Billy helped to rescue the life of a miner trapped in a salt mine in Winfield, LA. For his courageous action, he was awarded a Medal of Honor presented to him by the US Bureau. The Secretary
of Labor presented Billy with the Golden Mr. Citizen Statue on live TV.
After Billy was honorably discharged from his Navy commission returning to civilian life, he worked for Western Geophysical and was sent to Cochabamba, Bolivia where he met Mary. They were happily married for sixty-one years.
Billy & Mary began their married life in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. After a few months, his next assignment sent them to Las Palmas of Gran Canarias, Spain for three years. In this beautiful place, Paul was born. They had a short stay in Holland after which Billy was transferred to London, England where David was born and stayed for 14 wonderful years. Maggy & Raul joined them and Billy welcomed and loved them as if they were his own children. Billy had a heart of gold. They were blessed.
Billy loved to play golf and had the opportunity to play in many golf courses in Scotland, Ireland, and Spain, and traveled through Europe with the family.
He also loved to take Paul & David, “his boys” as he loved to call them, to all the museums in London to discover & enjoy different sites found only in England. He was a wonderful father & husband.
Upon returning to the United States, the family settled in Missouri City. He was a member of the Quail Valley Country Club, where he liked to compete in tournaments and exchange clubs.
He was an Astros, Rockets, and Texans fan. He loved to read and listen to country & light classical music. He attended annual reunions for Korean War veterans that served on the Gurke.
Billy loved his family and was deeply beloved by family & friends. He always had a smile on his face and found the good in all situations. He was brave and beautiful to the end. We will miss him for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, My Love, Mary.
Because of COVID-19, the reception to celebrate Billy’s life is postponed until it is safe to do so.