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Longtime Dodgers traveling secretary, Billy DeLury, passed away on Saturday night at age 81, the team announced on Sunday.
DeLury started with the Dodgers out of high school at age 17 in 1950, the same year Vin Scully started with the team.
"I was privileged to know Bill DeLury for more than 60 years from the time he was an office boy in Brooklyn and rose to become a most valuable member of the organization as our traveling secretary," said Scully in a statement. "A Dodger from head to toe. A respected baseball man. And a deeply religious husband and father. Anyone and everyone in baseball who knew Bill will mourn his passing and he will be truly missed."
DeLury worked a number of jobs in his over 65 years with the team, from self-described "office boy" to laundry to the mail room. He sold programs, worked in the ticket department, minor league development, then for over 20 years as the traveling secretary. In recent years, DeLury worked as an assistant to the broadcasters and to Scott Asaki, the club's current traveling secretary.
One of the great things about the Dodgers is how prevalent and embraced history is throughout the organization. It helps to have old Brooklyn Dodgers still roaming the halls, like Scully, Don Newcombe, Tommy Lasorda, and DeLury. With DeLury now gone, another tie to the past is gone, and a great storyteller at that.
DeLury was one of the most beloved members of the Dodgers family, and was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium and during spring training, even this year. He was an exceedingly nice man who always had time to say hello. DeLury will be greatly missed. Just ask the people who worked with him and knew him.
Thanks Billy; #RIP #DodgersFamily
— Alex Cora (@ac13alex) April 5, 2015
La familia de los @Dodgers perdió a uno de sus grandes. Billy DeLury fue uno de los grandes creyentes del #DodgerWay. Que descanse en paz
— Alex Cora (@ac13alex) April 5, 2015
I will cherish our meals, our conversation and our shared passion for lent, which always falls during Spring Training. not a coincidence..
— Joe Jareck (@JoeyJ33) April 5, 2015
Nobody loved Vero Beach and this time of year more than Billy D. You saw it all good man...time visit the great Dodger in the sky...
— Joe Jareck (@JoeyJ33) April 5, 2015
I'll miss you, Billy. Give God a hug for me. "@Dodgers: Dodgers mourn passing of Billy DeLury http://t.co/xGDqQDxH60" pic.twitter.com/DRUWdexofy
— Yvonne Carrasco (@yvonnecarrasco) April 5, 2015
DeLury was the Dodgers' traveling secretary for more than 20 years. Every time we spoke, it was like being transported back to Ebbets Field.
— Joe Resnick (@JoeResnick) April 5, 2015
Wow, Billy DeLury has died. The way he told great old stories in his Brooklyn accent, he was as much a voice of the @Dodgers as Vin Scully.
— Kevin Modesti (@KevinModesti) April 5, 2015
RIP Bill DeLury. A wonderful man who was beloved, and will be dearly missed, by all who knew him. #MLB #Dodgers
— Tom Singer (@Tom_Singer) April 5, 2015
Rest in Peace, Billy D. It was an honor to learn from you and a pleasure to be your friend.
— Colin Gunderson (@ColinGunderson) April 5, 2015
Sorry to hear this morning that Billy DeLury died. Just saw him last week at Camelback. He was as much a fixture to me @Dodgers as Lasorda.
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) April 5, 2015
RIP Billy DeLury. He personified the tradition and history of the #Dodgers. The ballpark was a better place with him present.
— Josh Suchon (@Josh_Suchon) April 5, 2015
Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo has a photo essay of DeLury up on his blog.