Thinking about cousin Billy, and that big smile. I heard the service was beautiful. Of course it was! I wish I could have been there. Looking forward to an English reunion where we can share more memories.  Thinking about Sandy, Mark, Christopher, and Jeffrey. So many memories when you guys were little and lived in Houston, and I came to your house to babysit. I always loved being in your home. You kids were hilarious, and your parents were so much fun. Your dad would drive me home and I looked forward to our visit every time. He always made me laugh and always gave me great advice, no matter what I was going through. Thinking about him this morning and keeping you guys in my prayers. Love you. Cousin Jamie.

As a former student of Dr. Bill English, I had a unique experience at finding my voice after I had not passed a vocal jury in another department. He always offered options and solutions to the problems I faced at the time. I will be forever grateful for his guidance when I was young - in loco parentus. RIP my dear professor.

As a high school debater from Louisiana in the late 1960's, I knew the names of only three college debate coaches. Bill English (at the University of Houston) was one of those three, and his name was almost legendary.  Through his friendship with Lee Polk, my debate coach at Baylor, I got to see Bill in many different settings, particularly after he joined the faculty at Baylor.  In all that time, he was to me one of the few people who met and even exceeded the legend associated with his name.  My wife and I were pleased that two of our three children took classes from Dr. Polk, but I will be eternally grateful to Bill for the time, attention and care he showed our daughter as her teacher and advisor during her time there. I will always think of him when talk turns to the days "when giants walked the earth . . ."

Bill  Baker English was my first cousin and a very great man.  My wife Linda Stanley thought so much of Bill as do I. He was the reason that our daughter Dawn Stanley was able to graduate from  Baylor University. I am am ObGyn physician in Abilene and never seemed to have enough time to see Bill and Sandy. Bill was an outstanding person and professor at Baylor. He was always trying to make sure that his students understood the importance of an education. He will be sorely missed by us and all that he came in contact with.  He was a great dad and educator and the best at debating that any one has seen winning the national title when At TCU on the debate team . We are sending a donation to the American Diabetes Association on his memory

To the English family…you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

The Hodgsons will miss Big Daddy and will be forever grateful that we knew him. Nothing but kindness radiated from him. Thank you to the English family for sharing this great man with us. And thank you, Big Daddy, for allowing us in your lovely lake home every summer to enjoy our time with you and the beautiful family and life you made. Rest in peace. We know that God holds you in his warm embrace. 
—Kirk, Sandra, Rylee, and Ryan

I am a first cousin of "Billy Baker" English.   Bill's mother, Dardanelle,  was a sister to my father Gail Williams.  Bill's father, Leo English, married Dardanelle Williams and they had one child whom I knew only as Billy Baker.  He was a big funny guy in High School and I laughed at everything he said.  We visited the English family in Lake Jackson, TX every year at Christmas when we drove down from Colorado.  For us kids it was a miracle to enjoy opening our presents with our Grandmother 'Jensy' who lived with the English family ie Leo, Dardanelle and Billy Baker.  I kind of lost touch with Bill as we grew in our careers and had children of our own.   But I soon realized that Sandy was the glue that held their family together and each year I enjoyed seeing their Christmas Cards with all of their kids and then the grandkids started showing up.  Bill was highly accomplished and rose to become Chair of the Speech Dept. at Baylor University.  One great visit to Waco was as we were driving from Port A to Denver and we were generously invited to stay overnight at Bill and Sandy's home.  Later Bill took us over to view the Baylor Bears at the University.  I remember what a true professional Bill was in every way.  He had a long history of teaching and then winning debates all across the country.  He had a very close friend who was a law professor and we all went out to dinner when they came to Colorado on vacation.  

All in all, Bill was admired and highly respected for being a wonderful family man and a dedicated professional.  We are all very fortunate to have known him and loved him.

Cousin Doug Williams

To me it’s best to remember him as he was,  Bill English, a good man, a friend and a character with a big smile.  We worked with our children through Reicher Catholic High School where we and others helped keep the school afloat and pulled it from near bankruptcy when no one else would, or cared, including the Bishop and Catholic Diocese.  

We cooked and sold hamburgers and Bill was the auctioneer at our annual auctions where he ruled the stage and called the shots loudly while waving his microphone as we bid up cakes and bought many so the money could be funneled back into Reicher.  

At Spring Break, off to Crested Butte where I froze and wore all the clothes I had and Bill would be running around outside in below zero weather in a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops as if he had good sense.  I only remember this from one occasion vividly but what made that little episode vivid was the outside temperature was around 10 below or lower, and there was Bill running through the snow happy as a lark.

And, he came to the clinic occasionally with Bluebell or another of their felines. Sandy came most but when Bill showed up, I knew there would be questions, smiles, wise remarks, laughs and fun because that was Bill.

I am sorry he is gone and was surprised and saddened when I learned, but he led and we will all follow in our time.

Ray Emerson, D.V.M.
Waco, Texas

I was so sorry to hear that Uncle Bill passed.  My fondest memories were when all of his cousins, parents and the rest of the Texas clan gathered on the coast to fish and swim.  As one of the youngest of Bill's nephews, I was lucky to have been surrounded with a wonderful understanding of family life in the south.  Uncle Bill always had a smile for me.  May he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing.

Our hearts are filled with sadness for the passing of Bill. He and Sandy were some of our favorite customers at our automotive shop here in Waco for many, many years. He could brighten your day just by walking in the door. Sandy, we know you, the boys, and all the family will hold many wonderful memories of times shared. He will be greatly missed.

I can’t think about cousin Bill without remembering his big smile. He was always smiling and eager to help. When he was a professor at U of H, and I attended as a student, he helped me with a research paper. I can’t imagine where he found the time, but he did. I can only imagine how much he will be missed by his wife, children and grandchildren. I was Bill‘s second cousin, and my mother was his first cousin. He touched our lives, and will always be remembered in our hearts for his love and kindness. My heart aches for those closest to cousin Bill, and I will continue to pray for you all to stay strong as you celebrate his life and grieve your loss.

I was very fortunate to meet Bill through his professional and friendship relationship with my late partner, Lee Rivers Polk.  Together they published "Baylor Briefs" and through those
times I often talked to Bill as I took on some of the work with
the business part of their endeavor.  Many fun times and joking
on the phone about those school districts who were in arrears
in paying their bills!!!!  Bill was such a remarkable person and I
feel blessed to have known him and Sandy through those years.

Bob Betzer
San Diego

I debated at the University of Houston in the mid-to-late 1960s, and it was exciting to be part of the dynasty created by Bill English. There was lots of talent at UH in those days, to be sure,  but what made the squad legendary was the guidance and direction of our coach,  who was talented and creative and resourceful. Bill's debaters went on to become winners in their chosen vocations, in no small part because the feelings of confidence and accomplishment developed during college years remained with them well into adult life. Decades after graduating from UH, I remained in touch with Bill,  because he was as nice a guy and good friend as he was an early influence. He will be missed by many since he touched many lives.

Bill was a gracious and honorable man.  Our sympathies  and wishes for  comfort and peace go to Sandy and his family.

Fred and LeeAnn Rader

My husband and I enjoyed a long friendship with Bill as we raised our sons together, played couples bridge and shared a love for Baylor. He was a warm, caring friend who also was a pillar of knowledge about speech and debate. 
My deepest sympathy goes out to Sandy, Mark, Chris and Jeff, their children and all the English family. He will be sorely missed by all his many Waco friends.

A great man of both enormous influence and exceptional humor. Always smiling. Always welcoming.  A life well lived.

I always enjoyed visiting with Bill. He had a kind heart and loved life. He always made you feel welcome. He lived well and loved his time spent with his family. We will miss him.

OBITUARY

William Baker English

16 September, 1940 – 12 December, 2023

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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