Former Dallas City Council member Bill Blaydes dies. He was 77

Bill Blaydes, a former Dallas City Council member who represented the Lake Highlands area in the mid 2000s, died Wednesday. He was 77.

Blaydes’ family told The Dallas Morning News on Friday he died of apparent natural causes. A commercial real estate broker known for giant hugs and a booming voice, Blaydes served two terms on City Council, where he was a strong advocate for efforts like the Lake Highlands Town Center and the development of what is now the International Inland Port of Dallas.

“His real passion was community and taking care of people,” said Erin Blaydes-Anderson, one of his three adult daughters.

Blaydes and his wife, Sara, had been married for nearly 60 years, first meeting as 17-year-olds in high school. They lived in Lake Highlands for more than 45 years. He looked forward to the annual Fourth of July parade in Lake Highlands to see how the area was evolving, his family said. He also spent several years as a youth football and as the public address announcer for Lake Highlands High School football games. He had a penchant for mentoring others and welcoming people as part of his family.

“When you were a friend, he took you in,” Blaydes-Anderson said. “We have quite a few grafted branches on our family tree.”

Blaydes-Anderson said during a speech at her wedding rehearsal dinner in 1999, her father asked the crowd how many of them he’d given keys to his family’s house. At least a dozen people raised their hands, she said.

Blaydes was first elected to the City Council in 2003 and was reelected in 2005. During his second term as a Council member he considered running for mayor, but announced in 2007 that he wouldn’t be seeking another term as an elected official.

“My doctor has given me strict orders concerning my health,” Blaydes said in a statement at the time. “Further, my family and my business immediately demand my time and my attention.”

While on the City Council, Blaydes was chair of the economic development and housing committee. He also had previously served as the City Plan Commission and the Board of Adjustment.

Former City Council member Adam McGough, who represented the Lake Highlands area for eight years until he was term-limited in June, said he and many in the community often called Blaydes “coach” from his years coaching football.

“He was one of those larger-than-life characters,” McGough said. “He was big and boisterous. He was so thoughtful and a visionary. And when he spoke, you couldn’t help but stop and listen.”

In addition to his wife and daughters, Blaydes is survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Blaydes is scheduled Monday at 11 a.m. at Park Cities Baptist Church at 3933 Northwest Parkway in University Park.

In lieu of flowers, Blaydes’ family is asking people to donate to Carry the Load, a Dallas-based nonprofit that supports military veterans and first-responders, and the Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Booster Club.