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Bill Hetrick Obituary
Bill was honored to be an educator, and he taught English to countless children in our community for 46 years, all of them in McAllen ISD. He taught six years at Lamar Junior High, 13 at Lincoln Junior High, and his last 27 at McAllen Memorial High School.
Bill's friends remember him as a kind-hearted friend who could always make them laugh, with his wonderful sense of humor and his famous ""one-eyebrow raise.""
Please join us Saturday at 7:00 p.m. to honor Bill Hetrick, who had a profound impact on the lives of so many students in McAllen and on all fortunate enough to cross his path.
McAllen ISD will livestream this Celebration of Life in honor of Bill for those who are unable to make it to the event. The link will be available on the district's home page at www.mcallenisd.org.
Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bill Hetrick
Margie Bowden
August 13, 2023
Miss you my sweet Billy... I could really use your help. You are to many a great inspiration.
Roger Steele
June 26, 2021
Thank you, Mr. Hetrick! You were a GREAT teacher! You allowed for expression and creativity in your Language Art classes. Throughout my own teaching career I have found myself reflecting how far ahead you were in your practice. Voice and choice, today´s educational buzzwords, were first nature for you 47 years ago. Thank you for inspiring me to teach and to listen and to always read between the lines.
Tony Faubion
August 24, 2016
Thanks Charlie for finding me to let me know of his passing. Mr. H was a good friend to me and one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. He had a unique approach in teaching, he made every student appreciate the material and never rejected anyone's view on literature. In his kind ways, he would just agree that one had a unique way of interpreting something or another. No one ever had a bad thing to say about him. He will be missed and remembered. He never missed sending me a Birthday and Holiday card for the past 28 years...I will miss his cards. RIP good Friend.
Joe Guerra
August 23, 2016
Bill's devotion to his students, country and community is reflected in all the praises and tributes given by those who knew him well. What an extraordinary life he led. He truly will be missed, for he touched many, many lives. May he rest in peace.
Manuel Peña
August 22, 2016
Bill's caring attitude for his students and fellow human beings have without a doubt earned him a place in heaven. May he eternally Rest in Peace.
Homero Lomas
August 21, 2016
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of such a good friend of so many in McAllen and to the loss of an important educator to so many. As Leo Buscaglia once said I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. This is so true of those we call Teachers, for they teach the our children, the future of our Country.
Margie Bowden
August 21, 2016
I had the honor of working Summer School programs with Billy, along with IDEA meetings that he led as PRESIDENT for many years... Great Leader, Great Teacher. The lives you touched.... Countless. Rest in peace my friend..
Charlie Cardenas
August 20, 2016
I've known Mr H for 38 years. He was my next door neighbor for the last9 years of his life. I was honored to be the first speaker at the Celebration of Life ceremony in honor of Mr H. He was a friend, a mentor and someone who was there for me in the hard times of my life. He said I was like a son to him. I am honored. My wife loved visiting with him and looked forward to all of our dinners we had with him. Mr H touched our hearts and left a permanent mark on my life, my wife's life and many of the students he taught. He will always be remembered and always have a place in our heart.
Marian Turk
August 20, 2016
Billy, I've known you since 1955 in Wilson Junior High and Mission High '62. We went to the Methodist Church together and my mama taught you in Sunday School. You've always been the perfect gentleman and a scholar. I'm sure God can use those traits in Heaven. RIP,friend.
M.M. Gonzalez
August 20, 2016
Mr. Hetrick will be greatly missed.
As you all well know, he was a kind gentleman who always took the time to be courteous, thankful and was prompt to acknowledge each and every one of your efforts.
He was extremely appreciative of any of us who followed his several pages instructions, on his 3-ring notebook binder.
I thank him for the opportunity to have subbed his classes. He will be remembered always and forever. May he rest in peace.
Idalia Villarreal-Dancy
August 20, 2016
Mr. Hetrick, Rest in peace and thank you for being such an amazing teacher! You were one of a kind and I enjoyed being one of the lucky students you taught! May God lead you home...
Nina Lopez
August 20, 2016
Rest in peace dear friend. You will be remembered always.
Susana Macias
August 19, 2016
Always went to summer school while in high school to make sure I would get Mr. Hetrick. One of the few teachers that I remember fondly! God Bless you always. RIP
Flor Salinas
August 19, 2016
You will always be remembered as the mild mannered, kind hearted soul that you were.
We, your family, will miss you but our very fond memories will keep you in our hearts always.
Richard Kemp
August 19, 2016
I knew Bill very well, knew his mother and dad also, he was a good person I'm sorry to hear what happen he will be missed, Rest in Peace , He in heaven with his mother a dad now RIP my friend!
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