Wally Bullington

1931 - 2018

Wally Bullington

Abilene, TX

Former Abilene High and Abilene Christian University football coach/athletic director Foy Wallace "Wally" Bullington died Friday following an illness at age 87. A celebration of Wally's life will be held on Saturday July 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the auditorium of Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave. A visitation will be held Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Born May 17, 1931, to John Clifford and Ruby Lavern Bullington in Athens, Alabama where he was raised with his three brothers Wilburn, J.C. and Tom and his sister Wray. Bullington graduated from Athens High School in 1949, when he played in the Alabama North-South All-Star football game. Bullington was named to the All-Southern team in 1948 as a linebacker and center. He turned down a scholarship to a major university in order to attend Abilene Christian College.

While at ACC, Bullington met his eventual wife, Valrie Darden, and they were married Dec. 20, 1952, a union that lasted 65-plus years. He was a faithful member of Highland Church of Christ for over 60 years and an Elder for 25 years. Through the years, as coach and athletic director, Wally had a profound impact on many students both in college and in high school by allowing his Christian values to be reflected in how he lead his team.

Bullington was voted to ACU's Football Team of the Decade (1950s) and its Team of the Century. He was inducted to the ACU Sports Hall of Fame (1993), Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor (1999) and his hometown Limestone County (Alabama) Sports Hall of Fame (2005).

Besides being an amazing coach, Wally was a committed husband to his wife Valrie whom he adored, a loving father to his three children; Brenda Dickson and husband Jim of Montgomery Tx, Laurie Muns and husband Greg of Rockwall Tx and Brad Bullington and wife Donna of Lubbock Tx. He was an involved and beloved grandfather to five grandsons and one granddaughter; Alan Muns and wife Kyla, Stephanie Dowell and husband Chris, Philip Muns and wife Lorraine, Ryan Dickson and wife Summer, Tyler Muns and wife Jade, and Jaden Bullington. He and Valrie were also blessed with six wonderful great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Wray Smith of Hot Springs, Arkansas and sister-in-law Jean Bullington of Fayetteville, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; J.C., Tom and Wilburn, brother-in-law Bill Smith and sisters-in-law Edna Bullington and Jean Bullington.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in honor Wally to the ACU Athletic Department, (ACU Athletics, ACU Box 27916, Abilene, Tx. 79601), CMA Food Pantry or Missions, both ministries of the Highland Church of Christ. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.