Sometime later Billy, who lived a few blocks away, came to our home on Louise street and we used them to
box in the garage at our house . One time he had me backed up against the door. Every time he
jabbed me, the back of my head would hit the door. Got a double whammy.
Billy and I usually worked out together at
the Club in basement of the large Presbyterian church near us. I was more of his punching bag as he was very athletic. He used to criticize me for clinching or holding too
much. Did
this to keep from getting hit too much. This went on for a short time
until I developed a serious case of Acne, which lasted for about 4
years,
and had to quit. If I been able to train longer with Billy, he probably would have helped me to become a pretty good boxer.
This was the end of my sports participation for the next several
decades (Tennessee State Bicycle champion in 1988 and ran my 1st & only Marathon at age 69 in the1st Memphis/St.
Jude Marathon 2002). Last year I participated the 5K in this world famous St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend and became the oldest (at 90) 1st Place (85+) finisher in the 22 year history of the event. Finished in the top 50% 2130th of 3878.
Billy went on too
much greater
things. After grade school, he enrolled at the Subicaco Academy (Several
years later another kid, Billy Dave Wofford, attended the same two
schools and became a Major General and head of the Arkansas Army National Guard.
His parents were our very best friends) for the
next 4 years. In boxing and many other sports, Billy was a five-time State
Golden Gloves Champion, Mid-South
Champion, AAU Champion, He sparred with Mohamed Ali when he was Casius Clay. Billy probably taught Ali many skills since he was older and had had many Championship bouts on his resume. He was a four-year
letterman in football, basketball, baseball, track, golf and tennis and five years in boxing.
He was named Arkansas High School Coaches Association (AHSCA) Baseball Coach of the Year nine times
(1967, 1974, 1983–85, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1995) and District Coach of the Year 18 times. He was Head Coach of USA Olympic Festival in 1986 at Houston winning Gold for the South Team. was nationally
recognized as well. Collegiate Baseball and USA Today named him Coach of the Decade for the 1980s and then Coach of
the Century by Collegiate Magazine.
As a coach for 44 years. he never had a losing season. He was honored
twice by the Arkansas Legislature and twice had a "Billy Bock Day" in
Arkansas
proclaimed by then Governor Bill Clinton. Check Wikipedia for his many other awards and accomplishments.