John William Scott

John William “Bill” Scott, 86, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on May 21, 2026, surrounded by his daughters.

A memorial service to honor his life is planned for Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Pantheon Mausoleum at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo.

A lifelong resident of Amarillo, Bill was a proud 1958 graduate of Amarillo High School. He went on to attend West Texas State University and the University of Texas, where he was a devoted member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, an organization he would continue to support as a distinguished alumnus throughout his life.

Following his graduation, Bill moved briefly to New York City where he embarked on a distinguished 55-year career as a stockbroker. Possessing an uncanny, photographic gift for numbers, he was legendary for his ability to recall the specific dates and values of his clients’ trades without ever needing to reference a ledger. His professional journey saw him contribute his talents to several esteemed firms, including Schneider, Bernet & Hickman; Kidder, Peabody & Co.; Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.; Addison Associates; and, finally, Prospera Financial Services.

Beyond the office, Bill had many interests. As a young man, he was a talented golfer who took a bold shot at a professional career before turning his focus to the brokerage world; he remained an avid player, recording two holes-in-one in his lifetime. His love for the outdoors took him frequently to the slopes of Colorado and New Mexico to ski with his brother, and to the fields for his favorite pastime: bird hunting. Whether hunting quail, dove, and pheasant, or cheering on the Cowboys or Longhorns from his favorite chair, he was always accompanied by his loyal dogs, most notably his Labrador, Love, and his companions, Boo, Oliver, Lou, and Rosie. He often spoke fondly of his childhood beagle, whom his father, Emmett, had affectionately nicknamed "Damnit."

Bill was deeply committed to his community, contributing his time as a youth soccer and track coach for Kids Inc. and supporting AMBUCS. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Amarillo Lodge no 731, the Lions Club, and the Amarillo Country Club. His dedication to marksmanship also made him a fixture at the Amarillo Gun Club and Amateur Trapshooting Association.

Bill’s greatest achievement, however, was his 60-year marriage to his beloved wife, Maynette Loftus Scott, who preceded him in death in May 2025. Their lifelong partnership, which began with a chance blind date in Amarillo, served as the cornerstone of his life.

In addition to Maynette, he was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett Tabor Scott, Sr. and Zula Taliaferro Scott; and his brother, Emmett Tabor Scott, Jr.

He is survived by his two daughters, Michelle Scott Mandell (Ed) and Anna Maria Scott; his granddaughter, Zoey Mae Cortés; and his nephews, Lee Tabor Scott (Joan), Tol Warner Scott (Bernadette), Theron Mark Scott (Amie), and Frank Matthias Scott, along with many grandnephews and grandnieces.