William L. Mallard

William L. Mallard was born the 14th child of 14 children born to Allen and Laura Mallard in Brewton, Alabama. He graduated from Southern Normal High School in Brewton, Alabama and earned a football scholarship at Alabama State University. While in the midst of his schooling, he received greetings to enter the military in 1950 and was sent to Korea. Before leaving for duties in the Army he married his high school sweetheart Eula Puryear. When he returned from Korea, he went to Army Special Services School. Mr. Mallard was a Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC). He was a Physical Activity Specialist & Recreation Service Sergeant responsible for Army installation programs related to outdoor recreation. He was also in charge of gymnasiums while stationed at Fort Jackson SC, Fairbanks, AK, Fort Polk, LA, Fort Bliss, TX, Vietnam, Panama, and back to Fort Bliss, TX. He was known as a fierce competitor in all athletics, and was known as “Tiger”. He especially liked handball and racquetball sports. He served and traveled with Eula all around the world retiring after 24 years in the U.S. Army. In 1975, Mr. Mallard began his second career as a Department of the Army Civilian, providing the Fort Bliss Community with state-of-the-art sports programs during 1975-1996. Mr. Mallard’s high standards of personal performance coupled with his strong leadership, transitioned the Youth Services Sports program into the 21 Century with uncompromising care and conviction. Mr. Mallard reinvented the Fort Bliss Youth Sports program by defining the methodology and tools to meet the community’s changing needs and interests. Throughout his remarkable life, Mr. Mallard’s consistent display of energy and vitality motivated all with whom he came in contact whether they were young or old. He was a founding member of the Fort Bliss Athletic Officials Association (AOA) for over 50 years, instrumental in providing positive sound leadership to the “AOA”. His selfless acts of caring, training, and coaching resulted in the development of quality Officials for support of athletic events for Soldiers, Civilians, Fort Bliss Employees, and the El Paso Community. He officiated everything from horse shoes to ice hockey. Mr. Mallard was an Usher at Skyline Baptist Church. He enjoyed traveling with the love of his life. God gave him a long and healthy life in El Paso Texas on the Mexican border. Preceded in death by his son William (Billy), he leaves behind to cherish his memory, Eula his wife of 69 years, one daughter, Evette and husband Charles Hatton, Abingdon Maryland, daughter-in-law Jacklynn Mallard, Fife Washington, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Survived by one sister Mrs. Mozelle Broughton, Brewton Alabama, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.. Visitation will be from 1:00pm-4:00pm with a funeral service at 2:00pm on Thursday, December 15, 2020 at Sunset Funeral Homes- Northeast, 4631 Hondo pass. Committal service to follow on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson.