William Ray Blevins

William R. “Bill” Blevins, passed into Eternity, to meet his Blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of Friday, March 23, 2018. Born in Kingsport, Tennessee on November 3, 1925, he is survived by his beloved Wife of 67 years, Maude Elizabeth, his Sister, Mrs. Juanita Blevins Milhorn, Sons: David and Mark; Daughter Robyn Blevins McMillin; Grandsons: David Blevins, John Blevins and Matthew McMillin and Great Granddaughters: Claire Ellis McMillin, Aurora Mae Blevins, Bailee Rose Blevins and Ella Grace Blevins.

Growing up on a small East Tennessee farm in the late1920’s was challenging. A short time after his 9th birthday Bill was assigned the daily responsibilities of keeping their small farm in working order so his Dad could take a job in town to help keep the mortgage on the farm and provide needed cash. Nevertheless, education was a high priority, and both he and his sister were expected to keep up their grades.

In June of 1942 Bill was granted permission by the County Superintendent of Schools to postpone his senior year of high school so he could volunteer to join the war effort. A seemingly insignificant vision defect washed him out of the Air-Force but a buddy told him that the newly formed Army Paratroop Corps was paying $100.00 per month more than any of the other branches of the military. Bill “jumped” at the opportunity and was quickly transferred to the already famous 101st Air Borne Division “Screaming Eagles”. Although small in stature and the physical training rigorous, he was extremely physically fit from demanding farm chores and his love of sports and physical fitness. In fact, he was the champion boxer of his high school. Years later, he used to laugh that he was the smallest soldier in his Company but so strong and such a good shot that he carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) the heaviest of the “small-arms” carried by U.S. Troops. Bill spent 15 months in Europe and fought in heavy combat, including the “Baby-Bulge” which was the German Army’s second attempt to break through Allied Forces’ front lines after the original Battle of The Bulge. His Honorable Discharge describes his active duty in France and Germany included armed street to street fighting and hand to hand combat. Dad never spoke of the combat experiences he went through except to say he knew the one thing that kept him alive were his godly Mother’s daily prayers.

Upon returning from the war, Bill quickly finished his high school curriculum, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology at East Tennessee State and taught science for a short time in a local school district.

However, newly married and with a baby on the way, it became clear that a career in education in his beloved home state would soon force him to take a second job. Then, a casual conversation with a fellow starving educator lead to a summer of intensive study in California to earn their Masters Degrees and return home for their families and a new start in the “Sun-Shine” State. The Fall of 1956 saw the young family, with a three year old son and six month old daughter, living in Montebello, California; Bill teaching Biology and heavily involved in developing the School District’s Physical Education and after school Athletics programs.

The experience and reputation he gained from developing the athletics programs in Montebello soon presented a golden opportunity with the newly formed Rowland Unified School District in the Rowland Heights/Diamond Bar area 32 miles southeast of Los Angeles. During his tenure of 28 years with the school district, 21 years were in the capacity of Director of Recreation and Physical Education, overseeing the formal Physical Education and Athletic programs of all elementary, junior high and high schools within the District. Additionally, Bill served on the Rowland Heights Coordinating Council, initiated the Rowland Heights Senior Citizens Program, developed and directed the (then visionary) Teen Post program which provided after school activities at all school district playgrounds, coordinated the annual Special Olympics and served as PTA Recreational Chairman for more than 20 years.

As youth sports programs were growing in popularity, the public expectation for local government to provide access to athletic facilities, made it clear that schools, cities and counties needed to set aside traditional barriers and work together. Bill’s natural talent for bringing people together and his love of youth sports launched him into a leadership role, working in close collaboration with the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department to create and implement the Rowland Sports Council with the mission to provide coordinated, fair and equitable access to local athletic fields at schools and County parks. The program was a resounding success and in September 1988 Los Angeles County honored Bill’s hard work and dedication by dedicating their newly completed Park in his name. Bill Blevins Park in Rowland Heights is still being enjoyed by the community to this day.