At William “Bill” Sirmon Jr.’s funeral, a former student walked up to the casket with an all-state ribbon in track and field. The student wanted to place the ribbon into the casket, a small gesture to thank his coach for helping him win the award.
Bill Sirmon, a former parish council member, coach and teacher, died on March 11 at the age of 82.
Bill’s son, Will Sirmon, said his father had a way of meeting people where they were, making friends with strangers and building up his community. Will said he hears often from strangers and friends alike about his father’s impact.
“All the kids he taught just adored him,” Will said. “People always go, ‘man, you gotta be coach’s son. I remember when you were little. We love your dad.’”
Will said his dad was generous, always willing to lend a helping hand. That drive to help others grew, in part, from his family’s early struggles. Bill was born on a rice farm in Abbeville. But a drought forced the family to leave the farm so his father could find work. A slew of short-term jobs, lead the family of six to live on the road for about two to three years.
“They were dirt poor,” Will said. “They didn’t have anything. They used to tell us that a lot of times they would eat crackers and milk or cornbread. That’s all they had.”
When they finally landed in Luling, the parish welcomed them with open arms. William Sirmon Sr. found work as a maintenance supervisor for American Cyanamid. Bill’s mother, Dorothy Trahan Sirmon, worked as a secretary for one of the plant managers at the same company.
And Bill, who had attended multiple schools when the family was on the road, found a community at Hahnville High School, where he excelled in football and track and field.
“After being on the road for two years, I think that was very welcoming and needed for him and his whole family,” Will said.
Bill earned a track scholarship to the University of Southwestern Louisiana and became one of the fastest freshmen in the nation in the 880 meters. He shattered multiple records, including the 880 meters and mile relay. It was during this time that he met Edith Hanisee. They married and had three sons – William, Robert and Kristopher.
Bill began his career in education after graduating from Nicholls State University. He worked in the St. Charles Parish public school system as a teacher and coach at Mimosa Park Elementary School, J.B. Martin Middle School and Carver Jr. High School. He co-founded the parish’s Biddy Basketball program for children, as well as the Adult Community Education program. He was the transportation director of St. Charles Parish Public Schools before becoming the athletic director at Hahnville High School.
Bill joined the parish council, served on the Lafourche Levee Board and the Maritime Board, and campaigned for Edwin Edwards.
“He was constantly trying to make [the parish] better for the people of the parish,” Will said.
Will said his dad had a special God-given gift for lifting people up.
“He had a great affection for the poor and the marginalized,” Will said. “I think that’s because he was in 17 different schools [when his family was on the road]. He was always standing up for the underdog.”
To his students and his children, Bill stressed the importance of education. Athletics were a means to an end, but sports also taught hustle. He’d often say, “it doesn’t take talent to hustle.” There were also no excuses – he was a tough disciplinarian. He would often remind his kids, “one mistake can ruin your life.”
But Bill also taught politeness – it was “yes ma’am and no, sir.” And he set a high standard for caring for others and giving back to the community.
He loved people. He was happy at a big table surrounded by friends and family. Even his terrible golf swing didn’t stop him from meeting up with friends on the golf course.
“He never met a stranger,” Will said. “He knew everybody. And it was people from all walks of life. No matter what kind of day someone was having, he always made their day better.”
