William Stanley Irvine

William Stanley ‘Stan’ Irvine (Coach Irvine), age 79, of Marlin, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023, in Round Rock, Texas, from injuries sustained in a car accident. Over the last six months he fought very hard to overcome multiple medical challenges. Stan was born a preacher’s son on March 3, 1943, to William ‘Bud’ & Margaret Irvine in Madera, California. His early school years were spent in Baytown, Texas. The remainder of his childhood was spent in Earth, Texas, and he later graduated from Odessa Permian in 1961. Stan attended Abilene Christian College where he also played for the ACC baseball team. After graduating from ACC with a degree in Education in 1966, he became the Athletic Director at the YMCA in Abilene, Texas. He then began his 30-year coaching career in Texas public schools. Stan coached in Dumas, Matador, Seymour, Hale Center, Lampasas, Canyon Lake and Marlin where he retired in 1996. In the summer of 1963, Stan met the love of his life, Cynthia Louise Pitchford, in Odessa, Texas. Stan and Cindy married on August 22, 1964, and went on to have 2 children, William Michael ‘Mike’ Irvine and Crystal Lyn Irvine. After retirement, Coach Irvine spent time playing golf, fishing, being a member of the Marlin Men’s Civic Association and running his sports memorabilia shop at the Treasure City Flea Market in Waco, Texas, every single weekend leading up to his accident. He continued to enjoy athletics by attending college and professional sporting events along with youth sporting events involving his three grandsons which were his pride and joy. Time with family, competitive athletics and full course meals were some of his most favorite things. Stan was preceded in death by his father William Elbert ‘Bud’ Irvine, his mother Margaret Ellerman Irvine and his son-in-law John Henry Dunn. He is survived by his son Mike Irvine of Waco, Texas, his daughter Crystal Irvine Dunn and three grandsons Grant Henry Dunn, Gavin John Dunn and Trent Michael Bell of Round Rock, Texas. He is also survived by Cindy Pitchford of Round Rock, Texas, his brother and sister-inlaw Jerry and Frances Irvine of Odessa, Texas, his sister and brother-in-law Nancy and George Slover of San Marcos, Texas, two nieces, two nephews, one great niece, three great nephews, one great-great niece, four great-great nephews and several cousins. To others, Dad was a friend, a teacher and a coach. To our family he was also our beloved son, brother, husband, dad, uncle and grandpa. He was the sweetest, funniest and wittiest man who always had such a good story to tell, especially the coaching stories. His family, life-long personal and coaching friends, students and athletes all meant the world to him. We will miss him tremendously, but we look forward to spreading his joy and love and to making him proud. From leading songs in church, playing ball, and raising animals as a kid, to helping develop young people in schools as a teacher and coach, to enjoying his retirement, Stan Irvine had great enthusiasm and passion for life. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, no angels nor powers, not things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39 Arrangements are being handled by Falcon Family Funeral Services in Austin, Texas. A Celebration of Life honoring Coach Irvine will be held on what would have been his 80th Birthday, March 3, 2023, in Round Rock, Texas, at the home of his daughter.

William Stanley Irvine

March 3, 1943 - January 21, 2023