William Frederick Truax III

William Frederick Truax III, affectionately known as Billy Truax and Poppi Tru, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Creator on January 7, 2026, in Denton Texas, surrounded by his three children, three sisters, a grandson, and several granddaughters.

Born on July 15, 1943, in Gulfport, Mississippi, to William Frederick Truax II (Bill) and Kathleen Anna Donohoe Truax, Billy was the second of six children, fondly referred to as “the six pelicans.” Raised in a small, humble home with only two bedrooms for a family of eight, he and his brother slept in bunk beds in the hallway while his four sisters shared the other bedroom. After attending St. Thomas Catholic School in Long Beach, Mississippi, Billy was enrolled at age 12 in Holy Cross boarding school in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he discovered his passion for football and graduated at age 16. He remained devoted to the Holy Cross brotherhood throughout his life.

From Holy Cross, Billy earned a football scholarship to Louisiana State University, where he excelled as a tight end and became a lifelong Fighting Tiger, proudly wearing purple and gold. Next, the Cleveland Browns selected Billy in the second round of the NFL draft. After a rookie-year injury, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where coach George Allen utilized him as a receiving tight end—a prototype for today’s wide-open NFL offenses. Later acquired by the Dallas Cowboys and coach Tom Landry, Billy contributed to the team’s victory in Super Bowl VI in 1972.

Though an injury ended his playing days, Billy’s legacy endures through remarkable success at every level of his football career: All-Prep, All-State, and All-American at Holy Cross; the Times-Picayune four-sport Athlete of the Year in 1959; first-team All-American and All-Southeastern Conference tight end at LSU in 1963; a second-round NFL draft choice; and a 10-year professional career that culminated in a Super Bowl championship in his home state of Louisiana, in New Orleans, before friends and family. He has been inducted into the Holy Cross High School Sports Hall of Fame, the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.

After football, Billy created Truax Investments and built a successful second career as a commercial real estate broker and developer.

A man of large stature and gentle spirit, Billy was kind, loyal, generous, giving and deeply rooted in his faith and his Mississippi Gulf Coast heritage. Home was always the Coast, no matter where life took him. Humble and soft-spoken, with quiet strength and an open heart, he was devoted to his family and friends and loved fiercely. He was a trusted confidant, and a cherished friend. Deeply spiritual and reflective, he loved and trusted God in everything and encouraged others to do the same. He enjoyed cooking his mother’s gumbo, eating raw oysters and fresh Gulf seafood, sharing good food with loved ones, being amused and entertained by the antics of his children and grandchildren, fine wine, a good scotch, watching football, basketball, and baseball, and placing the occasional friendly wager—especially when LSU reached the playoffs, Final Four, or World Series. Two of his favorite sayings were: “Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’ve got” and “Worry about yourself instead of trying to fix others.” Billy leaves a legacy of unconditional love, quiet determination, forgiveness, and an unforgettable football career.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Lane Truax Goolsby; his brother, Jesse Wayne James Truax; his grandson, Harold Christopher Truax II; his granddaughter, Margarette Elizabeth Truax; and his nephews, Daniel Lee Goolsby and James Allen Dorman Jr.

He is survived by his three children: Kimberly Marie Truax of Denton, Texas; William Frederick Truax IV (Rick) and wife Heather of Frisco, Texas; and Harold Christopher Truax (Chris) and wife Michelle of Sulphur, Louisiana; his granddaughters, Evelyn Alexandra Truax, Kathryn Marie Truax, Grace Ann Truax, Ashlyn Nicole Truax, Abigail Sinclaire Truax, and Tatum Elizabeth Truax; his grandson, William Christopher Truax (Billy); his sisters, Barbara Truax Dorman and husband Allen of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Kathleen Truax Edwards of Long Beach, Mississippi, and Sylvia Truax Newnom and husband David of Niceville, Florida; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends, many of which were lifelong.

The family invites friends to celebrate Billy’s life on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Sophia Lounge at La Stella Italian Steakhouse, 14655 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75254.

A memorial service will take place at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, March 14, 2026, at 11:00am on his beloved Mississippi Gulf Coast. Address is 720 Beach Blvd. East, Long Beach Mississippi, 39560

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tiger Fund at Holy Cross School in memory of Billy Truax ’60, 5500 Paris Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Truax family.