September 16, 1931 ~ January 29, 2023 (age 91)
Billy Ray Weir, Sr, a native son of Stephenville, entered the world on September 16, 1931, born to William Henry Weir and Elizabeth Jane Boucher Weir. He was the fourth of five siblings. Billy enjoyed doing the many things that boyhood years offered. He loved fishing, hunting and riding horses. Like many young men of the time, those days were interrupted by the call to service.
Sgt. Weir was a soldier in the Company C 120th Engineer Combat Battalion in Korea. He bravely did his duty building roads and bridges while defending himself, as well as his comrades, against Communist Forces. Upon his return, he rarely spoke of what he had seen and when he did it was behind tear-filled eyes. That is because he was in possession of one of the kindest and sweetest hearts that God ever handed out.
Following his years in the service, he found joy in his two young children and pursuing his love for horses and ranching. On December 2, 1977 he married the love of his life, Lora Mae Phelps. They enjoyed many years together and gave each other the love and respect that eluded them in their earlier years. With this marriage he also gained two additional daughters, and a son-in-law that viewed him as a father and dearest of friends.
Billy retired from Lone Star Gas Co. where he had worked most of his adult life. Then he started repairing gas heaters from home and came to be known as “the heater man” around town. As a member of the Erath County Sheriff’s Posse, he enjoyed trail rides, rodeos and an occasional hand of poker from time to time with his friends. For as long as he could, he joined “the guys” almost daily for a cup of coffee at Jake and Dorothy’s Cafe, where they were known to brag on their grandkids or to do a little horse trading.
Billy enjoyed collecting knives and would swap one if it made someone else happy. Billy’s friendship was worth more than gold. If you were lucky enough to have him as your friend, you were richer than most. He was known as Papa Billy to those that loved him dearly. He never let an opportunity pass to let his family know how proud he was or how much he loved them. He was supportive through the ups and downs and never voiced an opinion unless asked. His family would say that he was the example of pure, unconditional love. He was a blessing to his family and their sweet memories of him will comfort them in his absence.
Billy left this world to be with his loved ones in heaven on January 29, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife Lora, his father and mother, William and Elizabeth, and three sisters, Ruth Fern Warren, Helen Louis Stone and Ruby Miranda Moore, a brother W.H. “Tuffy” Weir, a son in law Tony Borges and his life long friend Wesley Holly Stacy.
He is survived by daughters: Lori Wilson Hayes and son in law Kenneth Hayes of Splendora, Nancy Borges of California, Linda Edwards of Stephenville, son Billy R. Weir, Jr. of Stephenville, a niece Debbie and husband Roy Chandler of Van Austine, as well as several other nieces and nephews. Eleven grand children; Roxanne Hayes of Bastrop, Amanda Farris and husband Neil of Belton, Melonie Parker and husband Jeff of Stephenville, April Smith of Stephenville, Brandi Cobas and husband Carmelo Jr. of Stephenville, Cody Smith and wife Juanita of Frezno, California, Amanda Melton and husband Steve of Stephenville, Colton Edwards and wife Sarah of Stephenville, Amanda Weir, Jessica Dudley, and Makayla Weir all of Stephenville. Great grandchildren; Zahra Husseini, Lee Hickman, Victoria Hickman, Laurel Farris, Ashton Farris, Macy Parker, Jayden Parker, Bayla, Clementine, Cody Jr, and Cory Smith of California, Jeffrey Swatsell, Blake Brannon, Matthew Brannon, Jayden Weir, Benjamin Dudley, Cecil Vaught and Adeline Edwards of Stephenville.
Visitation will be at 11:00am on Saturday February 4, 2023 at Lacy Funeral Home in Stephenville. Services to follow at 1:00pm at the Lacy Funeral Home Chapel. Burial to follow at West End Cemetery.
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