William Derrill Nippert, 89, passed away in Lubbock, Texas.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
William was born on Sept. 30, 1936, in Childress, Texas to Clyde and Ruby Nippert.
Derrill grew up in Kirkland, Texas and attended Kirkland schools until his freshman year, when he transferred to Childress High School. He was an All-State basketball player and went on to play basketball at Texas Christian University for four years, where he was selected to the All-Southwest Conference Team. Derrill graduated in 1959.
After college, he served as the head basketball coach in Midlothian, Texas for two years, followed by a position as head coach at Channelview High School in Houston, Texas. Derrill moved to Childress in 1963, where he became a longtime farmer and rancher. Upon retirement, he taught and coached at Childress Junior High for several years. Derrill moved to Lubbock in 2017, where he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Derrill was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruby Nippert, and his wife, Karen Nippert.
Derrill is survived by his sister, Gaye Lockett, of Hale Center, Texas; sons William Derrill Nippert Jr., of Lubbock, and Gordon Rice and wife Nancy, of Lubbock; grandchildren Drew Nippert, wife Meghann and their sons, Rice and Tripp, Elliot Nippert, wife Meagan and their daughter, Collins, and Sarah Tucker, husband Beau and their daughter, Lennyn, all of Lubbock.
The family requests that, if you feel led, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
