Late LSU Football Legend Billy Baggett Shared Over Six Decades of Marriage with Wife Kara Gael, Raising Three Successful Children

Billy Baggett was inducted into the LSU Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

June 8, 2026

This article was last updated by Suruchi on June 8, 2026

Billy Baggett, an American professional football player who played as a halfback in the NFL for the Dallas Texans and LSU Hall of Famer, is survived by his wife, Kara Gael, their three children, and the rest of the family.

Billy Baggett, born William Boyce Baggett on June 2, 1929, in Greenville, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at the age of 85 in Lake Charles, surrounded by his beloved wife Kara Gael and the whole family.

While many knew Billy Baggett for his exceptional football journey at LSU and his role as an amazing lawyer, he was also a great husband to his longtime wife, Kara Gael.

Billy Baggett was born on this day in 1929. Baggett is a member of the LSU HOF. He ran from a then LSU record 192 yds in 1950 against Ole Miss. That record stood for 26 years. Baggett would leave LSU as 2nd in career rushing yards with 1,334 yds.

— Vintage LSU Football (@vintagelsuftb)

Furthermore, tying the knot in 1953, Billy Baggett and Kara Gael Salter Baggett were happily married for over six decades, raising three kids together.

The couple was also known for their philanthropy, donating a significant amount to the community’s welfare.

Alongside his wife, Billy played a key role in supporting education through the Kara Gael and William B. Baggett Endowed Scholarship at LSU Law, one of the university’s most significant personally funded scholarships.

While very little information about Kara Gael’s professional life is available, residing in Lake Charles, Louisiana, she and bred racehorses, most notably Salter (LA), with longtime partner Val C. Murrell, earning multiple stakes placements.

Late Billy Baggett and his longtime wife Kara Gael raised all three of their children to succeed in their respective careers

Billy Baggett was not just an amazing husband to his longtime wife, Kara, but also a great father to their three kids, sons William Boyce Baggett, aka Billy Jr., and Christopher Baggett.

Furthermore, their son, William Baggett Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career as an exceptional lawyer.

Earning his law degree from his father’s alma mater, LSU, William currently works as an Injury Attorney at, a law firm in Lake Charles, Louisiana, established by his late father, Billy.

Similarly, their other son, , has been running his own business, Watusi Properties, LLC, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a real estate company, since 2026.

Likewise, their only daughter, Judy Baggett Maselli, also a graduate of LSU, resides in Sewanee, Tennessee, and manages their family ranch, Kara Farms.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Billy Baggett received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University, where he played football as a halfback on the 1948-1950 Tiger footbal team.
• After graduating from LSU Law School in 1953, he enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving for 3 years.
• Billy was inducted as a Fellow in both the American College and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
• He was the president of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association from 1966-1967, the president of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association in 1967, served on the Board of Governors for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America from 1972-1975, and was the president of the Louisiana State Bar Association in 1980.

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Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.

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