By John McElligott
It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Bill Godwin (AKA Billy Wayne Godwin or W.G.). Billy Wayne passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, January 11, 2023 after a brief illness. Billy Wayne was one of my best friends and we shared many adventures throughout the years. I first met him at Alamo Junior High and we became fast friends. I am thankful to have spent some time with him recently at the 1963 Class Reunion held Oct 7th in Midland, Texas. Any time spent with WG was guaranteed to involve a good story and plenty of laughter. There was no one else like him and he will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace.
While this story has been shared before, it is worth reading again.
The Police Siren:
In high school ( MHS ) Billy Wayne Godwin, Gene Clark and John McElligott acquired a police siren ( where we got it will remain with John and WG ). We had to put it up against the back tire for it to work . Gene had a four door Oldsmobile. Gene would drive, John would lay down in the back seat holding the siren on the tire while WG held on to his feet to keep him in the car . We drove in front of MHS and all over Midland, cars pulling over, everyone in town looking . It was much more effective at night . That lasted about a week or so. At that point it seems the owner of the siren wanted it back . End of a wonderful week or so. I wish I had it when I go to Dallas.
Another classic:
A story from a fishing trip with the boys:
WG and John McElligott were ordered to catch crabs and make crab cakes. There were no crabs to catch, so they went and bought some at the store. They told everyone that they were out fishing all day and caught the crabs. They have never told the gang that the crab cakes were made with store-bought crabs. All of the fishing team raved about the crab cakes and Billy Godwin and John McElligott just sat back and laughed and of course drank more tequila.
FYI FOR THOSE FRIENDS OF BILLY WAYNE GODWIN:
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, January 19th at 2:00 PM
First Baptist Church (121 E. Marshall)
Van Alstyne, Texas (20 minutes north of McKinney)
One of a kind. RIP my friend.
BWG made me laugh like no one else! His stories were priceless!!!
God rest your sweet soul, BWG❤️
Since I’m class of ’58, I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing WG, but from reading all the antics and other adventures he was involved in, I feel like he was another one of the Good Guys from Midland, TEXAS. RIP.