Bohannons retire from WISD after 28 years
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By Bev Odom/The Red River Sun—
Dianna and Lloyd Bohannon retire from Wellington ISD, each with 28 years of service, following an unprecedented end to the 2019-2020 school year. “I have to admit I have learned more about Google Classroom and Google Meet than I ever thought I would, and I have actually enjoyed it,” said Dianna Bohannon. “Distance learning basically forced the Bohannons to finally get the internet out on Cottonwood Creek.” She credits the WISD technology staff with the smooth transition into distance learning. (Courtesy Photo)
WELLINGTON — Following 28 years of coaching, teaching and learning, two of Wellington’s well-known educators retired at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Lloyd “Coach Bo” and Dianna Bohannon joined the Wellington Independent School District staff in 1993 after serving 28 years in various capacities in the district.
Natives of White Deer, Lloyd and Dianna Freeman Bohannon came to Wellington from Coleman. Coach Bo says that the late Skyrocket football Coach James Williams hired him to coach his secondary and receivers and to serve as the head track coach.
“Shoot, James even hired Dianna to be a girls’ basketball assistant coach because, at that time, there were no openings for a teaching position for a coach’s wife,” he said. “We are so thankful for James and Barbara Williams for hiring us to teach and coach with them.”
Wanting to become a full-time teacher, Dianna Bohannon eased into teaching high school and junior high keyboarding/computer literacy along with her coaching duties.
Through the years, she transitioned from teaching in upper grades to serving as elementary testing coordinator then back to the junior high classroom seven years ago.
“Lloyd and I have been very fortunate to call Wellington our home,” Dianna Bohannon said. “We feel blessed with the children we have raised, Bo Bryant (Class of 2007), Brittni (2009), Alabama (2013) and Sonny (2016), and our girls (nieces), Bryanna (2020) and Bella (a fourth grader), who we continue to raise. We recognize how much public school influences their lives and their future.
“Thank you to all school board members, administration, teachers, staff, cafeteria, maintenance, custodial and ladies of the business office for all you have done for our family. We love you all.”
Coach Bo became the high school biology teacher but said he always appreciated the WHS coaching staff. He recalls watching sons ‘Bama and Sonny play football on several semifinal teams and eventually Sonny played for the state championship and winning “it all” in 2013. He competed at the state tennis meet, too.
“There are so many great moments in my family’s lives that have been directly the results of being taught and coached by such fine and understanding people,” Coach Bo said.
Looking ahead, Coach Bo said he looks forward to increasing his Dorper sheep herd and continuing their Bama show pig operation.
“I also plan to fish and hunt more if that is humanly possible,” he said.
With sons Bo and Alabama both getting married this summer, the retirees plan on grandkids in the future. Both plan to place their names on the substitute list at school.
“I hope to spend more time with Lloyd checking his sheep and pigs and fishing, visiting the library and reading more books that aren’t about the STAAR or TELPAS, and just sitting out on the porch,” Dianna said. “I also want to help my brothers and their wives with my mom. It’s time for me to take mom to the doctor and go with her to senior citizens for lunch.”
The Bohannons began their education career in Snyder where she served as assistant to the dean of student services at Western Texas College for two years. A four-year stint in Coleman preceded their move to Collingsworth County.
Both Lloyd and Dianna Bohannon retire with 34 total years of service.
