Distinguished Alumni Award 2017

Dr. Billy Joe (’61) and Barbara Godsey (’63) Thrasher have dedicated themselves to teaching for a combined 80 years. Billy Joe has served as classroom teacher, coach and athletic director from grade school to junior college level. He also has been in administrative roles as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent and president in both private and public education, his last being president of Columbia (Tennessee) Christian Academy.

“Seeing young people grow in their spiritual, mental, social and physical development produces a wonderful sense of satisfaction and fulfillment,” Billy Joe said.

He was honored as Arkansas Outstanding Educator in 1969 by the State Jaycees, is included in Who’s Who among American Educators, and is a member of Phi Delta Kappa honor society. He served on the Arkansas Advisory Council for Secondary Education, the Arkansas Council on Economic Education, and the Tulsa Private School Advisory Council. He was a charter member of the board of directors for Maury Alliance Chamber of Commerce. He is a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, on the Vision 20/20 and Maury Technical School boards, and was chairman of the 2003 Heart Walk. He served on the Board of Directors for the National Christian School Association and was selected as the 2006 Administrator of the Year. He is a volunteer on the Tuesday Crew at Columbia Academy and also volunteers with the Maury County Boys and Girls Club, serving as chairman of the board in 2013.

“Being able to use what talents God has given us to leave the world a better place than we found it is the greatest work one could possibly do!” he says. “Helen Walton said it best: ‘It’s not what you gather in life but what you scatter in life that tells the kind of life you’ve lived and the kind of person you are.’ As Nehemiah 13:31 says, ‘Lord, remember me for good.’”

Barbara holds a master’s degree from Arkansas State University in early childhood education and retired in 2006 after teaching elementary school 38 years. The couple has participated in mission trips to Central America and Europe. They are members of West Seventh Church of Christ in Columbia, Tennessee, where Billy Joe is a deacon.

“I remember Billy Joe when he first came here and played football,” says Chancellor Emeritus Clifton Ganus Jr. “He was a good player and good leader — a fine young man all the way around. He well represents Harding. He has worked in Christian schools and done an outstanding job. He is an excellent representative of Harding, and we’re very proud of him.”

The Thrashers have two children — Tim and Christy — and two granddaughters.