Coach Harold Wynn Horton's Obituary
Coach Harold Wynn Horton, 85 of Fayetteville, AR passed peacefully at his home on May 3, 2025. He was born November 14, 1939 in DeWitt, AR to William Edward Horton and Lucile (Marshall) Horton.
Horton graduated from DeWitt, Arkansas High School in 1957. He had a standout playing career in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a part of a state championship American Legion baseball team at Stuttgart, AR in 1956. In 1957 he joined his older brother, Don, at the University of Arkansas, where he graduated in 1961. Horton was a two-year starter as a defensive back and halfback for Coach Frank Broyles. He was part of Razorback teams that won or shared Southwest Conference championships in each of his three seasons. Horton was voted team captain by his teammates in 1961 and played in the Gator Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. He also won the King Porker Award recognizing his outstanding leadership.
After graduation Horton served in the Army stationed at Fort Chaffe in Fort Smith, AR before becoming the head football coach at Bald Knob, AR High School in 1962. After three successful seasons he was hired as the head coach at Forrest City, AR High School where his teams flourished. He returned to the University of Arkansas in 1968 as an assistant coach under Broyles and then Lou Holtz until 1980. He coached and recruited some of the greatest players to ever play for the Hogs and coached in the Sugar Bowl three times, the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Liberty Bowl, and the Hall of Fame Bowl. In fact, Horton is the only coach in Hog football history to have won all three of the Hogs’ biggest bowls: the Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl.
In 1981 Horton entered private business working for Arkhola in Springdale, AR for one year.
In July 1982 he was hired as the head football coach at the University of Central Arkansas. In his eight seasons at UCA, he went 74-12-5 and 45-3-2 in league play. He won back to back NAIA Division 1 National Championships in 1984 and 1985. His Bears won seven consecutive AIC championships from 1983 to 1989. His teams won 38 regular season games in a row and he had three teams go undefeated in the regular season. Horton won the 1983 National Coach of the Year award. He is the winningest head coach (81.3%) in Arkansas college football history.
Horton left UCA after the 1989 season and returned to Arkansas as an administrator for the football program and athletic department. He retired in 2012 as the President of the Razorback Foundation and the head of the Razorback Letterman’s Club. In all, as a player, coach, and administrator he served the University of Arkansas for over 40 years.
Horton has achieved many awards over his career including inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Harold and son, Tim, are one of only five father-son inductees in the ASHOF. In 2002 he was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame. He received the 2012 Lifetime Distinguished Service Award by the University of Arkansas and the 2023 Arkansas Football Coaches’ Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a member of Christ Church.
But his highest award is being called a Godly man who loved Jesus, who loved his high school sweetheart, wife Betty of 63 years, a wonderful dad to two children Holly Banister (Brian), Tim Horton (Lauren), five grandchildren, Bentley Banister (Delaney), Charlotte Wedding (Rick), Caroline Horton, Barrett Banister (Sarah), and Jackson Horton. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Wynn Wedding, Banks Banister, and Jack Banister, one brother, Don Horton (Mary Jean), and many nieces and nephews. Coach loved his family, church, players, friends, and community and looks forward to seeing everyone in heaven someday.
A Celebration of life will be held at 2:00 on Wednesday, May 7 at Christ Church 4201 N. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville. A reception will follow the service at the church. A private committal will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mail:
University of Central Arkansas Foundation
Buffalo Alumni Hall
UCA Box 4986
Conway, AR 72035
memo line: Harold Horton Athletic Scholarship
Online:
uca.edu/go/harold horton scholarship
UCA Foundation Phone:
501-450-5288
Or to
Christ Church of NWA
PO Box 10798 Fayetteville, AR 72703
Online. https://christnwa.church/online-giving
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