Billy Paschall

Billy Layton Paschall, age 92, of St. Cloud, MN, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 14, 2022 at the Sartell Therapy Suites. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Billy Paschall was born on July 8, 1929 in Osceola, Iowa to Roscoe and Helen (Beardsley) Paschall. Billy became a lifelong Hawkeye fan while attending the U of Iowa where he earned his undergraduate degree in English and he began his passion to read and write poetry and to collect books, which accumulated to a huge personal library in his later years. He then earned his graduate degree in Sociology, also from U of Iowa, with an emphasis in human population studies. Billy went into the US Air Force in 1954 as a pilot. Billy loved to FLY! He talked about how he laughed and sang while doing loop-d-loops in his first solo flight during pilot training.

In 1967 he became a sociology professor at St Cloud State University and after chaperoning a SCSU student group on a ski trip, he transferred his love of flying to the thrill of downhill skiing. Billy was a world traveler and taught in Columbia, S. America for a year and twice in both the England and Denmark SCSU study abroad programs during his 27 year tenure at St. Cloud State University. Bill kept fit by working out and participating in sports, golf being one of his favorites. He also loved outdoor activities including tent camping in the mountains, canoeing, hiking, swimming and downhill/-country skiing. In his youth, Billy learned to social dance at the “Chicken Inn” in Iowa, spawning his love to dance which later led him to meet the love of his life, Carol Brink. Billy loved the theater and dance productions and had a deep passion for music, attending MN Orchestra and many other concerts with Carol and amassing over 1000 LP’s of jazz and orchestral music. He was a talented photographer and produced many framed photographs which donned the walls of his house. Billy loved people. He developed close relationships with several students who became lifelong friends. Without children of his own, he loved his niece Sue (Bob) and nephews Scott (Kelly) and Jeff enormously. He enjoyed the fact that he could be Uncle Bill and did not have to discipline them. Billy loved animals passionately, especially his late “Sue” dog. He always had a dog treat in his pocket and endless scratches for any dog who ‘asked’.

One of the best ways to describe Billy was a kind, caring, loyal, true gentleman with a big heart. Billy generously gave to so many charities that often his mailbox was overloaded with requests for money. He primarily contributed to organizations who support issues involving the environment, discrimination, or the humane treatment of animals. If you wish to memorialize Billy, you could contribute to a favorite charity dealing with one of these issues.

Bill is survived by his best friend and life partner, Carol Brink of St. Cloud; his sister-in-law Peggy Paschall of Des Moines IA; niece, Sue (Bob) Cooper of Grimes IA; nephew, Scott (Kelly) Paschall of Trinity TX; grandniece Michell Paschall and grandnephew Jeffrey Paschall. Carol’s children, Kirsten (Derek) Stendahl of St. Anthony, MN and Eric (Martha) Horvei of Martinez CA, and grand children Sofia and Carly Stendahl, Chloe and Aleena Horvei.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Roscoe and Helen (Beardsley) Paschall; his brother, Ross Paschall; his sister, Carol Sue Groethe and his nephew, Jeff Paschall.