William Dennis Durick

Bill passed away on February 27, 2014 from complications of a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family. Born February 25, 1926 in Bessemer, AL, to Stephen Durick and Bridget Gallagher, he was the youngest of twelve children. A graduate of Bessemer High School, Bill enlisted in the Army and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne in Central Europe. He graduated from St. Bernard College in Cullman, AL and Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, where he excelled athletically. In 1951, he married the love of his life, Harriet Fowler. For over 50 years, Bill taught and coached in the Catholic School system. His career started at McGill Institute in Mobile, AL. He joined the staff at Jesuit High School in Dallas as Head Baseball coach, Head Basketball coach and assistant Football coach in 1953. Four years later, he was named Athletic Director, a position he held until 1965. Bill coached the first TCIL basketball championship team in 1955. He served as President of the TCIL for 5 years. During his baseball coaching career, Jesuit never had a losing season. Bill was inducted into the inaugural Jesuit Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Bill coached at the University of Dallas and served as Dean of Students. He founded Ranger Day Camp. He taught hundreds of Ursuline and Cistercian students to drive. He worked at Donovan Uniform in sales, and later owned UK Sales, enjoying his work well into his 80's. Bill and Harriet are proud founding members of St. Monica Catholic Church. Bill loved his family, friends and all things sports. He loved and practiced his Catholic faith. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was always ready with a joke. Bill will be remembered by his loving wife, Harriet and their children; Bill Durick (Sandy), Mary Ann Walters (David), Susan Titus (Monte), Lauren Zoltek (Tom) and Carolyn Harrison (Mark); 13 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; best friend, Pat Schnitzius; sisters, Mary Margaret Durick, OSM and Patty Finlen. To celebrate his life, a Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, March 3, 2014 at St. Monica Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bill Durick Letterman’s Scholarship Fund at Jesuit College Preparatory School, 12345 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75244; or The American Foundation For The Blind, 11030 Ables Ln, Dallas, TX 75229. A special thank you is extended to the caring staff at Presbyterian Dallas ICU and Life Care Hospital-Dallas.