Dr. William J. Teague

Dr. William J. Teague, chancellor emeritus of Abilene Christian University, died in Abilene on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at age 91.

Funeral services are planned for Thursday, December 6, at 11:57 a.m. in the ACU Teague Center.

He was born Billy Teague in Olney, Texas, on July 12, 1927, the youngest of six sons. His father died when he was 14 years old, leaving his mother to raise him by herself in Nocona, Texas. While enrolled at high school, Teague was a proud member of Nocona’s 1944 state champion basketball team. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years while based in San Diego. It was in San Diego that he met Margaret “Peggy” Louise Newlen. They married June 4, 1948.

After his honorable discharge from the military in 1949, the couple moved back to Texas so Bill could continue his education at Abilene Christian. While a student, he was appointed the first manager of KACC, the campus radio station. He graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and speech.

He immediately went to work for then-president Dr. Don H. Morris as assistant to the president and secretary of the Alumni Association. He worked at ACU for five years before leaving to serve as vice president at both Harding University (1957-59) and Pepperdine University (1959-70).

Outside of his career in education, Teague pursued a variety of interests. He earned a master’s degree from Columbia University in 1959 and a doctorate from UCLA in 1965. In 1968 and 1970, he ran for U.S. Congressional seats in California. Teague frequently engaged in public speaking. He could be passionate and inspiring, but it was his humor that really endeared him to audiences. He was an active basketball and tennis player, but he most enjoyed spending time with his family.

During the 1970s, Teague served as vice president of two Fortune 500 companies, Purex Corporation in California and Kerr-McGee, an Oklahoma-based oil company.

From 1981 to 1991, Teague served as ACU’s ninth president, and later as chancellor (1991-2007) and chancellor emeritus (2007-18). With an emphasis on fundraising, he oversaw the transformation of the campus leading to the construction of the Mabee Business Building and Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, as well as the relocation of Judge Ely Boulevard. ACU’s Teague Boulevard opened in May 1992, serving as a new front entrance to the university. Across campus, the Margaret L. and William J. Teague Center was dedicated in his and Peggy’s honor.

In addition to the major buildings completed during Teague’s decade as president, the university endowment increased from $18 million to $56 million. The Honors Program and ACU Press were begun; and KACU became KACU-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate. The William J. and Margaret L. Teague Excellence Award, an endowed scholarship program for students at ACU, began in 1989. In 1991, Bill and wife, Peggy, were named Christian Educators of the Year by 20th Century Christian magazine for careers of service to three Church of Christ-affiliated universities.

After becoming chancellor in 1991, Teague remained active on the campus until he suffered a stroke in 2002. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, he remained a regular attendee of ACU athletics and other events, as well as worship services at University Church of Christ, where he and Peggy were members. He especially looked forward to attending the university’s annual Opening Assembly on the first day of school and its patriotic Parade of Flags ceremony he began in 1986.

Teague was preceded in death by his parents, Dudley Thomas Teague and Sudie Crane Teague; and his wife, Peggy. Survivors include his son, Tom Teague; two daughters, Susan Reid and Dr. Helen Teague; and grandchildren Bill Teague and Amelia Louise Wildman.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to be made online to the university on behalf of Dr. William J. Teague (Gift Records, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132) or give online acu.edu/giveonline. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.

Honorary pallbearers (*posthumous): *Thurmon Andress, Grady Barr, *Garvin Beauchamp, Tucker Bridwell, Joe Ed Canon, Scott Dueser, Dr. Ian A. Fair, *Doug Ford, *Dr. Lewis Fulks, Ron Hadfield, David Hejl, *Fred Lee Hughes, *Robert James, Hutton Jones, *John Jordan, Jack Kiser, *Joe Mabee, *Bill McMinn, Dr. Jack McManus, *John Michener, *Dr. Byron Nelson, *Dr. Charles Nelson, G. Randy Nicholson, *Frank Puckett, Richard Shough, Bill Senter, Dick Spaulding, *Dr. John C. Stevens, *Bob Tiffany, *W.R. Tincher, Jimmy Tittle,*Dr. Charles Trevathan, Mike Waters, *Hon. Louie Welch, *Jerry Williams, Bill Wright, H.C. Zachry, Dr. Gary McCaleb, Dr. Robert Hunter