He obtained Bachelor of Arts and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.
He served in the United States Navy during the last months of World War II.
Before he became a history professor, he played football briefly with the Los Angeles Rams until his athletic focus was halted by an injury.
[2] Procter held the Cecil and Ida Green Emeritus chair in the TCU History Department.
He received the Summerfield R. Roberts Award for best book contribution to Texas history.