tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post3447990463325473856..comments2024-03-11T16:39:12.344-05:00Comments on Once A Knight ...: A hero, a friend ... a great lifeNico Van Thynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-23562557660094076522021-08-11T11:11:03.663-05:002021-08-11T11:11:03.663-05:00From Rusty Hailey: Wayne Davis made the catch and ...From Rusty Hailey: Wayne Davis made the catch and he was really a football rookie. He went on to college ball [Louisiana Tech] and a pro tryout [Atlanta Falcons] and now he is a helluva tennis player.<br />Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-58099151672050589062018-08-28T21:22:26.990-05:002018-08-28T21:22:26.990-05:00From Billy Henson: Wow, I share your admiration. I...From Billy Henson: Wow, I share your admiration. I was there that night, too. I was actually on the goalline when he threw that last-second pass and saw the receiver lying on the ground and then someone tipped the ball and it fell right into his hands. We all ran into the field chasing Billy to hug him. What a great night for everyone, especially the Knights!Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-74468532720175884622015-06-18T21:46:53.134-05:002015-06-18T21:46:53.134-05:00From Kim Gaspard: Thank you so much for expressing...From Kim Gaspard: Thank you so much for expressing your thoughts on Billy. I first met him as a senior in high school and he was on the Tulane staff. Then one day he came by my school at Princeton near Haughton to do a fundraising program. Our friendship certainly blossomed to the point that my son spent a week with Billy and his family in Nashville during the quarterback camp he put on each summer. The Laird Family was so generous. They are examples of what real family really is about. Thank you again for putting into words what many of us felt about Billy Laird. Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-76186402114351932442015-06-18T21:31:28.487-05:002015-06-18T21:31:28.487-05:00From David Worthington: I've been praying for ...From David Worthington: I've been praying for the Woodlawn and Tech and Ruston friends of Billy Laird. He was fun to watch.<br />I'm sorry that I didn't really get to know him, but I admired him. <br />As you mentioned, we are all aging and experiencing more of our friends declining in health. We are mortal, yes, and life is fragile. We are put here for a reason and yes, I agree with you, that we are to try and make life better for others with whom we come in contact. Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-12981373901068431722015-06-16T21:49:00.076-05:002015-06-16T21:49:00.076-05:00From Jerry Humphries: May God bless Billy, Brenda ...From Jerry Humphries: May God bless Billy, Brenda and their family. My regards to all. Billy was a Rock Star when we showed up for tryouts at Woodlawn in the spring of '62 ( and thereafter). He was a kind soul, willing to share his knowledge. [He threw] the most beautiful spiral I ever saw. I plan to see it again.Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-55072951857154529042015-06-16T21:42:41.804-05:002015-06-16T21:42:41.804-05:00From John English: Your statements in your article...From John English: Your statements in your article about being a kid of 14 in the stands watching him play really rang a bell. We were both there. I remember going to those games on Thursday and Friday nights by riding the Shreveport city buses and sometimes walking home after the games. I loved watching those games and the halftime band performances and just knowing that I was going to be a Knight, too. Fifty years later, we all are still Knights.Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-87274658864255886032015-06-15T23:41:41.497-05:002015-06-15T23:41:41.497-05:00From Judy Arnold McKenzie: Priceless! Billy Earl w...From Judy Arnold McKenzie: Priceless! Billy Earl was a legend. Even as a kid he was so special and sweet. We have lost a true hero and a special friend to so many. God bless his precious family. <br />Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-33877536610439114452015-06-15T23:36:39.181-05:002015-06-15T23:36:39.181-05:00From Keith Annison: The Good Lord has a plan, and ...From Keith Annison: The Good Lord has a plan, and that must have included a QB and dear family friend in Billy Earl. I remember the days of Lairds Grocery, and family gatherings with the Lairds. Rest in peace, my friend, and watch over Brenda and family.Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-65882536614298931012015-06-12T21:22:07.469-05:002015-06-12T21:22:07.469-05:00From Raleigh Whitehead: In 1954 I was 6 years old ...From Raleigh Whitehead: In 1954 I was 6 years old and was in the second half of my first-grade year at Summer Grove Elementary. The school was an old wooden building and I "caught" a school bus to go to school. One afternoon, I was late in getting to the school bus for the ride home. There were no more seats. The bus was full.<br />Billy Laird was sitting in the first seat behind the school bus driver and offered to let me sit on his lap for the ride home. I think that he got off the bus before I did so I was able to sit in his empty place. You can't imagine how proud I was to have Billy give me a seat even though it was in his lap. <br />Way back then, Billy was a recognized leader and all-around good guy. I never forgot that act of kindness on his part. Never.Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-36997330751415671632015-06-12T21:19:41.491-05:002015-06-12T21:19:41.491-05:00From Kirby Ramsey: A poignant article about a good...From Kirby Ramsey: A poignant article about a good man and a true hero. I know Billy Laird would be pleased. He was my fourth grade summer baseball assistant coach. His Dad was our coach. Such good people.Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-23979324695193164542015-06-12T21:17:47.461-05:002015-06-12T21:17:47.461-05:00From Doug Bland: You are right in that he was the ...From Doug Bland: You are right in that he was the leader of the group that started the Woodlawn tradition. I was with Coach Williams last week and we talked about that group of players and what they meant to Woodlawn. The only reason Terry didn't wear 10 was that Trey already had it.<br />I know I told you the story about being at the Bossier Strip and Billy telling me I was a Woodlawn Knight and didn't need to get into trouble there. I always used that from then on to help me remember if I should or shouldn't do something.Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-66637785897608252992015-06-12T21:15:51.225-05:002015-06-12T21:15:51.225-05:00From Sandi Atkinson: Brokenhearted for Brenda. I c...From Sandi Atkinson: Brokenhearted for Brenda. I can't remember when they weren't together. <br />We have lost a true gentleman and one hell of an athlete and coach, but most of all is the loss to his family and close friends.<br /><br />Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5125402567351329247.post-12722060094532036602015-06-12T21:14:23.039-05:002015-06-12T21:14:23.039-05:00From Jim Oakes: Awesome tribute to an outstanding ...From Jim Oakes: Awesome tribute to an outstanding man. What a great loss to the Tech and Ruston High family. Nico Van Thynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07072351355184106484noreply@blogger.com