Trending
WELLSBURG -- Paul "Bud" Billiard will be remembered by many Ohio Valley residents for leading the Brooke High School football team to three state championships, seven OVAC championships and 185 wins among 265 played over a 23 year period.
But in his retirement, he applied his energy and enthusiasm to improving Brooke Hills Park, supporting the development of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park and other projects and services undertaken by the various community boards for which he volunteered.
As one of many remembering Billiard, who died Tuesday at the age of 79, Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas noted the long-time coach never lost his love for football, often using gridiron terms in everyday conversation, while applying "the same passion to everything he did in the community."
Janice McFadden, manager of Brooke Hills Park, said, "We lost a very important part of our park family today. He was very valuable in helping the park fundraise and had such vision for it."
Thomas said Billiard "was instrumental in bringing RV upgrades to the park to ensure it had a good, steady stream of revenue."
McFadden noted great respect for Billiard led two of his former players to donate funds for the development of the disc golf and foot golf courses there.
She added Billiard played a key role in planning and fundraising for the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park. Inspired by the death of 21-year-old Michael J. Smith, a local Marine serving in Iraq, the park overlooks the paddle boat pond at Brooke Hills Park.
"He'll never be matched. We'll never be able to fill those shoes," said McFadden, who added Billiard was a regular at the park who cared about its staff and chatted with visitors.
Thomas recalled attending a car show there and after noticing a large hole near the parking lot, brought it to the attention of Billiard, who happened to be passing by in a golf cart.
"He returned a short time later with a shovel and dirt to fill it himself. That was the kind of guy he was," said Thomas.
Over the years Billiard was acknowledged for his success as a coach with such honors as the H.V Corcoran Sr. Award, for bringing national attention to the Ohio Valley through the success of the Brooke Bruins; West Virginia Coach of the Year, the Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Man of the Year award and induction to the Brooke High School and West Liberty University athletic halls of fame and Ohio Valley Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
On one occasion he confessed to possessing a certain amount of chutzpah when he was interviewed for head football coach at Brooke. Billiard recalled telling Richard Whithead, Brooke County assistant superintendent of schools; and Athletic Director Ed Watkins he hoped to lead the team through an undefeated season, to the state championship and a national ranking.
"Dick said, 'Those are lofty goals! but Ed said, 'Let him go," he said.
But when the football field at Brooke Memorial Stadium was named for him in 2018, Billiard saw it as an opportunity to acknowledge many he said made him and the Brooke High School football program a success.
He said he was grateful for the many talented, hardworking players with whom he worked and the many fans who not only faithfully attended home games but also traveled to those played away, sometimes eclipsing the attendance for the home team; and the school's marching band, cheerleaders and dance team for "creating spirit in the stadium."
Billiard said he also was thankful for the support of his wife, Carol; school administrators and staff, members of the Football Boosters and other parents and volunteers who fed the team and raised funds for various expenses.
"Without them, nothing would have been possible," he said.