Billy Emory Maxwell
December 10, 1942 – October 8, 2023
Billy Emory Maxwell, better known as Coach, 80 years of age, of College Station, Texas, passed away peacefully at Crestview Methodist Retirement Communities, Bryan, TX on Sunday, October 8, 2023, after a brief illness.
Billy was born on December 10, 1942, and grew up in Reno, Georgia. He attended Cairo High School as a star athlete in Track and Field, getting a college scholarship to Florida State University.
His coaching career began at Camilla High School for one year and he moved to Columbus High School for 3 years; and was named Georgia Coach of the Year in 1967.
His longtime dream came true when he was hired as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee under Chuck Rohe for 2 years and Stan Huntsman for 10 years, winning 2 NCAA Track and Field outdoor championships and numerous SEC titles.
From there he moved to Louisiana State University as Head Coach for 5 years and lead the Lady Tigers to their first NCAA Indoor Championship in 1987. The Tigers won two SEC Indoor and Outdoor titles in 1985 and 1987.
He spent a few years at the University of Texas as assistant coach under Stan Huntsman.
He finished his career at the University of Nebraska under Gary Pepin, where he retired after 22 years. With the Cornhuskers he coached 47 first team All -Americans, 34 Conference Championships and 3 National Champions. He was named Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year 4 times.
After over 50 years of coaching, Billy was known as one of the top recruiters in the nation. He coached 48 individual national champions, more than 350 All-Americans, 93 conference championships and 3 national championships. Billy received many accolades; his greatest achievement was being inducted into the US Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jesse Howard and Vera Williams Maxwell, and wife Kay S. Maxwell.
Survivors include his sons Howard Emory Maxwell (Sally Beth) and William Cory Maxwell, Sons’ mother Sandra Elkins Maxwell, Grandchildren Anna Claire, Isabelle, Lucy, Eliza Scott and Emory, Jr. Stepchildren Todd McMillian (Sandra), Chad McMillian (Tsukasa) and Tiffany McMillian (James), Brother Walter G. Maxwell (Marguerite).
The family would like to thank Lee Ann Crouch at Crestview Methodist Retirement Communities for the special care she took of our dad.
In lieu of flowers we request donations be made to Cairo High School-Track and Field program, 455 5th Street SE, Cairo, GA 39868.
The Celebration of Life will be held at Bethel United Methodist Church in Reno, GA on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.
