William R. Courtney

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
— U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, quoting Winston Churchill (Taken from Edwards’ tribute to Bill Courtney on the floor of U.S. House of Representatives, July 17, 1998)

A former head of the Democratic Party in Texas recently confided that nearly every week while he held the office, Bill Courtney would call him “just to see how things were going.

Sheepishly, the official admitted that he realized only later that Courtney was calling to give him advice, but did so in such a diplomatic manner that no ego was bruised.

The official also acknowledged that the advice was sound and appreciated.

The anecdote amplifies the way that William R. Courtney got things done many times — out of the limelight and behind-the-scenes. Courtney, who lived most his life in Temple, spent a major portion of his adult life working behind the scenes for the betterment of the community.

Shortly after Courtney’s death this past summer, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards took time to honor the former Temple mayor on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by saying, “Bill Courtney viewed his community involvement as a sacred duty and a cherished honor.”

He also said Courtney, “Last year ... used his skill and expertise accumulated during three-quarters of a century to help bring a new Texas Veterans Nursing Home to Temple.

“Within days of his death, Bill and I were actively working together to try to keep the state USDA offices in Temple. It does not surprise me that even in his last days on this earth, Bill Courtney was doing what he did his entire life — helping others.”

None of that surprises the friends of Bill Courtney who knew the man for what he was, a good, honest, decent human being who worked hard at his job and tirelessly for his community, state and nation.

Today we honor his memory by naming him the recipient of the seventh Frank W. Mayborn Humanitarian Award. Specifically it is given for his work in helping to secure for Bell County one of the state’s first nursing homes for veterans since the Civil War.

In his letter of nomination, Courtney’s longtime friend and law partner, Jim D. Bowmer, said, “Bill’s political and legal abilities, and his immense credibility with public officials on a local, state and national level, were instrumental in the State of Texas locating the new Texas Veterans Nursing Home in Temple. He skillfully guided Temple not only through the process, but coordinated the efforts of the City, State and Federal governments in making it a reality. Although it was an accomplished fact before he passed away, he was still working on details during the week he died. It was fitting that the ground breaking actually took place on the very day of his funeral.”

When the Texas Veterans Land Board announced the locations of the four nursing homes, Temple was the first site named by Land Commissioner Gary Mauro.

Construction is under way on the $10-11 million, 150-bed nursing home on the grounds of the Olin E. Teague Veteran’s Center. About 250 new jobs should be created by the location of the nursing home in Temple.

The facility will occupy about 6-7 acres of a 30-acre site set aside for the facility meaning that there is plenty of room for expansion. Although the facility will be state-owned, it will be privately operated. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is funding 65 percent of the cost with the state paying the rest.

Courtney, a member of a pioneer Central Texas family, served the community in a number of capacities including mayor of Temple from 1976 to 1980.

In addition to carrying on an active law practice for 48 years in Bell County, Courtney devoted much time to public service. During his two terms as mayor, he brought about a revision in the City Charter which changed City Commission elections from at-large to single-member districts.

He was a trustee of Scott and White Memorial Hospital and Scott, Sherwood and Brindley Foundation and chairman of its Development Committee and Real Estate Committee; a director of Scott and White Health Plan; past president of the Temple Industrial Foundation; a three-time chairman of the Temple Economic Development Corporation; past president of the Central Texas Council of Governments; past president of the Cultural Activities Center; and past vice president and director of the Temple Chamber of Commerce.

Active in Democratic politics on a state and national level, he was a former member of the State Democratic Executive Committee. His counsel and advice were much sought after in political circles.

He and his wife, Shirley Leach Courtney, donated the land upon which Temple’s Ronald McDonald House was built. Later they gave land for an enlargement of the facility. The “House that love built” as it is sometimes known is a temporary housing facility that serves as a home-away-from-home for the parents and families of children being treated for a serious illness or injury at medical facilities in Temple.

Courtney attended Temple public schools and Temple Junior College. He received his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1948 and his law degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1950. He was a former board member of the University of Texas Law School Association.

Active in church affairs, he was a member of Christ Episcopal Church of Temple, where he served three terms as Vestryman and two terms as Senior Warden.

During World War II, he entered the U.S. Army as a private, graduated from Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., as a second lieutenant, and served as an infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division in the mountains of Italy, where he attained the rank of first lieutenant.

Although we honor him today for his humanitarian works in the last year of his life, truly William R. Courtney was a humanitarian throughout his lifetime.

- - from award program Wednesday, October 28, 1998