William Dibrell

Biography

William Henry "Bill" Dibrell (1929–2002) was born in Bastrop, Texas. He grew up in the Methodist Parsonage. He graduated from San Marcos High School and later Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1949. After fighting in the Korean War, Dibrell returned to SWTSTC and earned his MA in special education. He worked in local public school districts before joining his Alma Mater as an audiologist and speech professor. Dibrell headed the university's Upward Bound program and also served on the San Marcos City Council.

Part of the Texas 150 Oral History Project

William Dibrell talks about his career as both an educator at Southwest Texas State University and as a member of the San Marcos City Council. He recalls his early life in Bastrop, serving in the Korean War, and earning his master's degree in special education at Southwest Texas State Teachers College. He reflects on his experience working as the assistant county school superintendent in Lockhart before teaching at San Marcos High School and helping with the Upward Bound program. He outlines how he devoted his career to supporting vocational education teachers and teaching public speaking courses. Dibrell describes the evolution of education in San Marcos, with specific mention of the laboratory school, the Coronal Institute, and the San Marcos Baptist Academy. He addresses his frustrations and the ways in which he believes San Marcos and its city council need to improve and shares his views on teaching and the education system in general.

Full audio is available for this interview. Reading Room access only.