Dr. Bill D. Lamkin, former Professor and Dean of the School of Education at Baylor passed away Sunday, July 17 in Waco. Graveside services for Dr. Lamkin, 82, of Waco and formerly of Brownwood, will be held Thursday, July 21, at 9:30 a.m. in the Greenleaf Cemetery of Brownwood with Dr. Richard Jackson officiating. Memorial services will be held Thursday, July 21, at 3 p.m. in Seventh & James Baptist Church of Waco with the Rev. Matt Rosencrans officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday in Brownwood at the Davis-Morris Funeral Home from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Born in Cleburne, TX, to Walter Lee and Evelyn Lamkin, Dr. Lamkin grew up in the Early community and attended Early schools until his Junior Year when he transferred to Brownwood High School from which he graduated. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in English from Baylor University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas.Bill and Robbie Stanley were married August 27, 1950, in the Little Chapel in the Woods on the TSCW campus in Denton. They reared three daughters who survive him. They are Leigh Robson and husband, Ken, of Norman, OK; Becky Robinson and husband, Jeff, of Horseshoe Bay; and Missy Kittner and husband, David, of Waco. One “adopted” daughter, Debbie Tidwell of Houston, made four. Four grandchildren are Shana Robson, Dallas; Thom Robson, Norman, OK; Megan and Hannah Kittner, Waco. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Watters Lamkin.
Professionally, Dr. Lamkin began his teaching career in Bangs, TX and then came to Waco initially as a teacher at University High School then Waco High School. Being named Director of Counseling at Waco High led him into a new field. He left Texas in 1960 to become director of Counseling for the Los Alamos, NM school system. Returning to Texas and Austin to complete his doctorate, he worked as a research associate at the Research and Development Center for Teacher Education at the University of Texas – then Baylor called in 1967 and he returned. For the next 28 years he taught in the School of Education, the last twelve years as the Dean. Upon retirement he was given title of Professor of Educational Psychology and Dean Emeritus of the School of Education.
As a teacher and administrator he was a member of numerous professional organizations. He was an active member and deacon at Calvary Baptist Church and Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco, and First Baptist Church of Brownwood. He was an active member of the Brownwood Kiwanis Club and upon leaving Brownwood was honored when the club renamed the Key Club College Scholarship the Bill Lamkin Memorial Scholarship. His love of education and counseling also led him to be a CASA volunteer and to lend his expertise to New Horizons outside Goldthwaite.
While education was his first love – he had many talents including playing the organ, singing, history expert, and Latin teacher to name a few. All who knew him also knew of his amazing sense of humor and his love of corny jokes.
The Lamkin’s tasted the joys of travel in the ‘80s when Bill was given the opportunity to lead the Baylor-in-London program. That experience fed the couple’s desire to see more of the world – eventually touring six of the seven continents. In 2000 Bill and Robbie returned to Brown County and Robbie’s ancestral land in Brookesmith. They built their dream log cabin and he continued his love of teaching by serving on the Brookesmith School Board. In the final year of his life they returned to Waco and a life at Lakeshore Estates.
Should friends desire, memorials may be sent to: Brownwood Kiwanis Club, Box 322, Brownwood, TX 76804; First Baptist Church of Brownwood Building Fund, 208 Austin Ave, Brownwood, TX 76801; or Baylor University School of Education Faculty/Staff Student Endowed Scholarship Fund, 1 Bear Place 97050, Waco, TX 76798.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com
