Louisiana Tech, Byrd Hall of Famer Dr. Billy Bundrick has died
Louisiana Tech Hall of Famer and one of the most celebrated orthopedic physicians in the region, Dr. Billy Bundrick, has died.
A Shreveport native and Byrd graduate, Bundrick, 85, played football initially at Texas A&M before spending three seasons on the Bulldog football team, including serving as co-team captain his senior season.
“Dr. Bundrick was a big inspiration to me for so many years,” Louisiana Tech President Dr. Les Guice told the USA TODAY Network. “I saw him give so much of himself to help others. As I progressed along my path as a student, professor and administrator at Tech, I could see more and more of the impacts he was having on people. He had a caring heart that we all admired.”
Services are slated for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Shreveport’s Noel Memorial United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Max Zehner, Dr. Tom Harrison and Rev. James Davison III. A private burial will take place after the service.
In addition to earning All-State football honors at Byrd, Bundrick played on the 1956 Byrd state championship baseball team and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He was a letter winner at Tech from 1957-59 and was instrumental in the Bulldogs going 9-1 and winning a conference championship during his tenure.
A graduate of LSU Medical School in New Orleans, Bundrick joined the Bone and Joint Clinic in Shreveport-Bossier City and has treated some of the country’s top athletes during his career, including Karl Malone and Terry Bradshaw.
“I strongly believe Dr. Bundrick was the top team doctor in the country among NCAA schools,” former Tech athletic director Jim Oakes said. “I cannot imagine another team doctor who did more for any athletic program than what Dr. Bundrick did for Louisiana Tech. He is a legend and will be sorely missed.”
A life-sized statue of Bundrick sits in front of the Louisiana Tech softball stadium, which is dedicated to him, thanks to a donation by the Karl Malone family.
After playing for the legendary Joe Aillet at Tech, Bundrick served as the team doctor for the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters from 1973 through 2013.
In addition to his work as a physician, Bundrick and his wife, Linda, were members of the Team Tech $1 Million Lifetime Giving Club, a lofty group of 15 couples. His other accolades include receiving the Louisiana Tech Alumnus of the Year (1980), the Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Life Sciences (1986), Centennial 100 Distinguished Alumni (1994) and Tower Medallion recipient (1995).
He served as the University Foundation Board President (1981-83) and was a Privileged Director of the Foundation Board (1986-87). He received an honorary doctorate in 1984.
Honoring Bundrick as pallbearers will be Stewart Beatty, Zackary Benson, James Davison III, William Davison, Spencer Dingler, Karl Malone, Wayne Smith, and Mackenzie Soul.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Eddie Anglin, James Davison, Jim Oakes, Perry Pringle, Rick Shirley, Michael Slaughter, Ivan Smith and Sam Wilkinson. In memory of Dr. Don H. Burt, Dr. Spiro Cosse, Royce “Spanky” McCoy, Richard “Skippy” Shirley and Mickey Slaughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Northwest Louisiana, P.O. Box 5118, Bossier City, La., 71171, Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport, La. 71101, or other charities of the donor’s choice.
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Tech, Byrd Hall of Famer Dr. Billy Bundrick has died
