William (Bill) Lawrence Narrell

William (Bill) Lawrence Narrell
William (Bill) Lawrence Narrell
William (Bill) Lawrence Narrell, 83, a longtime resident of Amarillo, TX, passed away on March 19, 2020. 
 
A celebration of life memorial service will be at St. Stephen United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Smith officiating on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 2:00 PM. Arrangements are with Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
 
Bill was born June 28, 1937 in Loraine, Texas to Cub and Judy Narrell. Bill grew up working on the family farm with his siblings Sue, Garland, and Jackie. He graduated from Loraine High School in 1956, where he loved to brag that he graduated in the top 10 of his class… of 11. Sports always played a big role in Bill’s life, and he loved to escape the rigors of farm chores to play all kinds of athletics. Upon graduation, Bill hitchhiked his way to Oklahoma to play junior college football. He then boxed in a Golden Gloves Tournament to land himself a spot playing football at McMurry. It was there that he met his future wife, Evelyn Miller. They were married on December 3, 1960 at the First United Methodist Church in Jacksboro, TX. Bill’s first coaching job was in Los Fresnos, Texas. Football became a great love not only for Bill, but for Evelyn as well. In 1962 he was drafted into the United States Army and served until 1964. He and Evelyn lived in France for 2 years. When he returned, he was a graduate assistant at McMurry and graduated with his Master’s Degree. He had coaching stints in Dimmit, Hereford, Big Spring, and Leveland, until he finally arrived at Amarillo High School in 1975 where he was the defensive coordinator until he retired in 2002. Many remember him from his history classes and even driver’s ed. He loved coaching football at Amarillo High where he was the defensive coordinator for 27 years. He achieved great success by annually having one of the district’s best defensive units. Most would say that he was firm, but fair. Known for his booming voice that could even be heard in the press box at Dick Biven’s stadium. He and Evelyn had such a love for football and for the Sandies. Bill’s greatest coaching success was being able to be on the sidelines to watch both his sons, Britt and Eric, strap on the pads and play for the Sandies.
 
St. Stephen United Methodist Church and the John Mark Sunday School class were a great joy. Because of Evelyn’s habitual tardiness to church, Bill took his own vehicle and arrived early every Sunday to make coffee for his Sunday school class. They had lifelong friends at church, their coaching family, and throughout the community. They both loved people and spending time entertaining and going to social events. He and Evelyn loved to dance and would look for any reason to cut a rug. They also enjoyed snow skiing and camping. The family enjoyed going to Jack’s Creek campground in northern New Mexico every summer for 2 weeks. Once grandkids came along, the same energy Bill put into coaching he put into being “Granddaddy”. Camping with the grandchildren became a favorite summertime activity where Bill would teach the grandchildren how to build campfires, swing, ride horses, chop wood and… become tough! Bill and Evelyn loved watching their grandchildren participate in all kinds of athletics and would do all they could to be at each one’s event.
 
He is preceded in death by his wife, Marian Evelyn Narrell.
 
He is survived by his two sons, Britt and daughter-in-law Daphne of Andrews, TX, and their three children, Blake currently serving in the Air Force in Japan, Katie, and Beau, Eric and daughter-in-law Jennifer of Naples, FL, and their three children, Chloe and husband Barrett Barker of Grapevine, TX, Parker and Cooper. He is also survived by his sister Sue Nebrig of Bella Vista, AR, brother Garland and wife Dorothy of Flower Mound, TX and brother Jackie of Bonita Springs, FL.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be sent to Always A Sandie Scholarship, in honor of Bill Narrell, 2800 Paramount Amarillo, TX 79109.

20 Replies to “William (Bill) Lawrence Narrell”

  1. So sorry to hear this. Coach Narrell was a great Coach and even greater man. RIP, Coach. Prayers of comfort and peace for his family.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  2. The McMurry University family extends heartfelt condolences to your family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss.

  3. I just want to say that Bill was a wonderful teacher and coach for my sons. I watched him coach. He was positive and clear in what he said but to me he taught young men how to be “men” in the future. Bill didn’t compromise much except with Evelyn. He stood strong in defeat and strong and happy in victory. He exemplified what is great about this country and ,in fact, what built this country.
    Eric Hoffer was a longshoreman and philosopher in the late 60’s. He said something like “your life doesn’t mean much if you never raised a blade of grass” He was speaking metaphorically.
    Bill Narrell left big fields of grass in the young men he coached and taught. Tall strong grass.

  4. I was fortunate to have been coached by Coach Narrell in kicking and at cornerback. He had a great eye for techniques in the early years of soccer style kicking and defeating blocks on sweeps. I was also one of his knotheads as I quickly found out in the PD game. Proud to be in the group. Heaven just got louder. Rest In Peace coach.

  5. I was honored to know and play for Coach Narrell as a Sandie ‘74 – ‘76. .

    Condolences to his family. He was a fine man.

    Rest In Peace Coach.

  6. I’m proud to be called one of Coach Narrell’s “knot heads.” Good man. Cared for his players. He’ll be missed. Sorry for loss Narrell family.

  7. I met Bill in the last years of his life when I visited him with my therapy dog. He still had a BOOMING voice! I wish I had known him during his career as a teacher and coach. I can see how much of an influence he had on many people. Rest in Peace Coach.

  8. A wonderful man. I will always cherish my time as one of Narrell’s “Knot Heads”, class of 1979

  9. I LOVED this guy! I had the honor of babysitting for the Narrell’s and then , full circle , staying with Coach and Evelyn for a few years and he was a Hoot! He told me the same joke everyday and we both laughed everyday! I miss both Evelyn and Bill so much, they were always so sweet and both so so fun! I know he is missed by many! Love to all of you!😘

  10. Love this man! The passion he had for coaching was second to none. Thank you for being a great coach and a wonderful person. I always valued and respected your opinion because it was always spot on. It was a pleasure working alongside of you. You will always have my upmost love and respect!

  11. Rest In Peace Coach. We All will miss you. I became a coach because of you and the other coaches at Amarillo High. Class of 1979. Blow Sand Blow!! We Will Sing Your Praises Tonight!!

  12. To the Narrell Family,
    I now sit in retirement after a 32 year teaching career. I owe any success that I had as a teacher to Coach Narrell. He gave me a chance to serve as one of his managers from 1978-1980. I learned to show up every day, be organized, and give my best! He gave me responsibility and trusted that I could get the job done. These were simple life lessons but have become so important to me even today. If I listen closely, I can still hear Coach Narrell in his loud voice yelling , “TURN IN YOUR LAUNDRY!!”
    By coincidence, I taught at Caprock High School for two decades with Mrs. Narrell. She loved football as much as Coach Narrell did! I miss both of them.
    Coach Narrell pushed us hard, and we were able to accomplish more than we ever thought possible. Success at AHS and beyond was the result.
    Thank you Coach Narrell!
    Jeff Frazer

  13. I was beyond blessed to get to coach on the Sandie football staff. To this day the things I learned as a first time coach on such an experienced staff are cherished. I can remember stopping in the locker room to check in with Bill about various things that came up while we were scouting and he always welcomed the interruptions, never made me feel as dumb as I was about things, and he always took the time to make sure he taught me something. I have missed the time I was fortunate enough to spend in that coaches office every day over the 17 years I’ve been away. What am amazing coach!

  14. Coach was a great man who showed a lot of class and kindness. I will always remembe the years I spent at AHS, Class of 1986. R.I.P Coach always a Sandie! Prayers for the Narrell family as well as the Sandie family.

  15. Thank you Coach for believing in a skinny cornerback from The Heights. I went to McMurry because of you. You were also a major influence in me becoming a Marine. Rest In Peace Coach. Blow Sand Blow!

  16. Rest In Peace Coach. You taught many children and impacted so many others in our little world of Amarillo, including myself. I was in the Class of 1997. Always a Sandie! Blessings to your family.

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