William J. "Bill" Pollard

1926 - 2017

William J. "Bill" Pollard, 90, of Big Spring, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 12, 2017. William was born on June 28, 1926 at home in Avery, Texas, to parents Bessie and Jessie Pollard. Bill completed High School in Avery in a two-room school house. At the age of seventeen, he volunteered to serve in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After his service, he attended Sam Houston State University on the G.I. Bill. He earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree and a Masters of Arts Degree in Vocational Agriculture. In 1950, upon graduation, he became the Vocational Agriculture Teacher in Winnsboro, Texas, for the next three years. While in Winnsboro, he began a friendship with Leroy Tidwell, the local Chevrolet Dealer there, which began his interest in the automobile business. In 1954 at the age of twenty-seven, he acquired the Chevrolet Dealership in Roscoe, Texas. His brother, Dick Pollard, joined him there which started the family's career in the car business. On August 10, 1957, Bill married his sweetheart and bookkeeper, Lora Mae Broadwell in Roscoe. In 1961, Bill and Lora Mae purchased the Chevrolet Dealership in Big Spring which is now Pollard Chevrolet Buick Cadillac. Bill and Lora Mae were longtime residents of Big Spring.
Bill has always been very active and proud of his community serving it in many capacities. He was the President of the Roscoe Lions Club and the Big Spring Lions Club. He was a Member of the First United Methodist Church in Roscoe and in Big Spring; Member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army in Big Spring. He served as Board Member and President of the Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center; President and Member of the Big Spring New Car Dealers Association; Director of the Big Spring Chamber of Commerce, 1975-1977. Bill served as a Bank Director of First National Bank of Big Spring, and most recently, as a Member of the Board of Lone Star State Bank, Big Spring. He was very proud to be one of the Founders, President and a Board Member of the Big Spring Industrial Foundation. Bill was proud to be a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 160.
He was passionate about the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) serving in many roles such as Director, which he received the Gold Key Award and became the Chairman serving from 1990-1991. He was a member of the Chevrolet Dealer Council numerous times and celebrated the milestone of receiving the Chevrolet Fifty Year Dealer Award in 2004.
Bill was an avid hunter and sportsman and traveled the world pursuing his sport. He reached the pinnacle of his hunting accomplishments when he became a member of the Grand Slam Club being permanently assigned the number 646 in the Archives of the North American Sheep Hunters' Association of the Grand Slam Club.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years, Lora Mae Pollard, his parents, Bessie and Jessie Pollard, his brother, Jim Pollard and his sister, Robbie House.
He is survived by his son, William Edward Pollard and his wife Kim Pollard of Big Spring, His daughter, Kay Lynn Pollard Maynard and husband Bryan Maynard of San Antonio. Grandchildren Austin Garrett Maynard and his wife Emma Maynard of San Antonio. William Ryan Pollard, a student at Texas Tech University and Erin Elizabeth Pollard, a student at Texas Tech University. His brother, Dick Pollard and wife Susan Pollard of Lubbock and sister-in-law Linda Pollard of Boulder, Colorado and many precious and beloved nieces and nephews.
Bill loved his work and worked until his death. He also loved traveling the world with his wife and family. He was very proud to be a part of the Big Spring and the Howard County community. But mostly he loved his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by them.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at The First United Methodist Church, Big Spring with Senior Pastor Bill Ivins and Mike House officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, Big Spring or to the Howard College Scholarship Fund.