MISSOURI CITY, TX
Oct. 29, 1930-July 30, 2021
Billy O. Scroggins passed away Friday, July 30, 2021. He was born in Natchitoches, and preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ethel Futrell Scroggins; brother, Jack and wife Louise; son, David; and brother-in-law, Raul.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary; son, Paul and wife Lisa; grandchildren, Amanda, Diana, Sydney Wright, Jake and Dylan Scroggins, Jonny, Vincent and Nico; his dear sister, Ethelyn and husband John Millar; sisters-in-law, Maggy Bright with sons, Anthony and Andrew of England, and Ritzuko from Missouri City; and niece Tatiana.
Billy graduated as valedictorian from Natchitoches High in 1947 and Northwestern State University in 1951.
He served in the Navy aboard the “Gurke,” a Destroyer during the Korean War. He was a 1st Lt. LTJG when he resigned from the Navy in 1957. Billy was a member of the First Baptist Church.
In 1954, while on leave for Christmas from the Destroyer, Billy helped rescue the life of a miner trapped in a salt mine in Winnfield. For his courageous action, he was awarded a Medal of Honor. The Secretary of Labor presented Billy with the Golden Mr. Citizen Statue.
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.
Billy and 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 and 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 and David, “his boys,” as he loved to call them, to museums in London to discover and enjoy different sites found only in England. He was a wonderful father and 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 and 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 and 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 safe to do so.
