60 years after WWII intervened, Weldon Bigony returned to finish his Baylor degree
In 1938, a young man named Weldon Bigony came to Baylor on a football scholarship. But when America entered World War II three years later, Bigony left school to join the Naval Air Corps. After the war, he became a commercial pilot, got married, had children (and eventually grandchildren), and successfully beat a cancer scare — but he never forgot about that unfinished degree.
Finally, in 2002, he decided it was time to do something about it. Battling through physical ailments, he returned to Baylor, and at age 82, completed the final 24 credits he needed to earn his BBA. In May 2003, he walked the Ferrell Center stage and received his diploma — to a standing ovation from more than 10,000 fellow Bears.
[READ more about Weldon Bigony’s life in this 2010 Focus Magazine feature]
“It just kind of struck me. I don’t know why it took so long to decide to do it,” Bigony once said about his return to school. “But it struck me that I never did get that part finished in my life… It was an interesting first couple of days. I sat in the front row because of my hearing aid and my glasses. I have all the crutches of an old man. I think they were looking at my different colored hair. One or two people had green or orange-colored hair, but most people don’t have my color…
“I can’t remember when I enjoyed anything so much. … I can tell people, you’re never too old or too young to learn about life and what the Lord’s will for your life is.”
His story drew national attention, prompting stories from such outlets as People Magazine, USA Today and NBC’s Today. Even Oprah had him on her show. After graduation, Bigony settled in Waco; he was named to the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame’s Wall of Honor in 2006, became active in a local church, and regularly competed both the Texas and national Senior Games.
Sadly, Mr. Bigony passed away last week at age 96, but his story of perseverance will not be forgotten.
Sic ’em, Weldon Bigony!