Former Northwest runner to be inducted into Hall of Fame
by LaJuan Tallo
5/9/2006
Billy C. Rotenberry, who made a name for himself at Northwest Mississippi Community College in the 1960s as a runner, is one of four people who will be inducted into the college's Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the David M. Haraway Center on the Senatobia campus.

Rotenberry ran track at Oakland High School in Oakland. In 1959, he won the district mile and half-mile races, and went on to place second in north half, and second and third places respectively in the state track meets. In 1960, he won the district, north half, and state in the mile and half-mile.

A Drafting and Design Technology major at Northwest, Rotenberry was vice-president of the student council in 1961 and 1962. He was also a member of the Industrial Arts Club and the Baptist Student Union. While at Northwest, he never lost a race in the mile, and won the state junior college crowns in 1961 and 1962.

He won the state crown in his freshman year in the 880-yard race, but did not compete at the state level in his sophomore year. He competed on the Mile Relay Team, and broad jumped 21 feet.

Rotenberry attended Mississippi State University, earning a bachelor's degree in industrial technology, with a minor in mathematics in1968. He taught math and coached for three years, and then relocated to Texas in 1971.

In Texas he bought Pryor's Restaurant, which he owned and operated for many years. He was active in the chamber of commerce and Rotary club, was a school board member for six years, and was involved in several annual civic activities in Farmersville, Texas. He was also an active member of First United Methodist Church of Farmesville, where he hosted a men's breakfast prayer group, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the board of trustees. Rotenberry's restaurant hosted an annual Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings for people who would not normally have a hot meal that day. Rotenberry is credited for establishing the annual Christmas parade for downtown Farmersville.

In 2001, Rotenberry returned to Mississippi after selling his restaurant. He now lives in Water Valley and owns the Water Valley Cafe. He and his wife, the former Peggy Donica of Farmersville, have four daughters and one grandson.

Tickets for the banquet are $20 and need to be requested by May 10. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs by calling (662) 560-1105.