Billy Ray Hall

Billy Ray Hall, age 79, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, February 28, 2010 with his loving family at his side. He was born the middle son of E.R. (Shorty) and Velma Hall in Iowa Park, Texas.

He is survived by his loving wife Edna Jean who he loved very much. He is survived by his seven children, daughter Deborah Wright and her husband John Wright of Blue, Texas, daughter Vicki McMillan and her husband Kenny McMillan of Bastrop, Texas, daughter Nelda Connelley of San Antonio, daughter Rebecca Hall of Austin, daughter Kelly Gearman of Austin, son Michael Hall of Salt Lake City, Utah, and daughter Teresa Bostick and her husband Robert Bostick of Buda, Texas. Billy is also survived by his younger brother, Max Hall of Odessa, Texas. Billy leaves behind 16 grandchildren, David W. Cooper, Randy McMillan, Russell McMillan, Scotty Connelley, Libby Connelley, Kimberlee Miller, Sarah Connelley, Ysabel Cuellar, Alex Gearman, Taylor Gearman, Michael Ray Hall Jr., Adrianne Hall, Christopher Hall, Alex Hall, Megan Bostick and Rachel Bostick as well as 10 great grandchildren.

After graduating from high school in Levelland, Texas, in 1948, he served in the US Air Force. After his tour of duty, he graduated with honors from Texas Tech University in 1955 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He started his petroleum engineering career with Core Laboratories and later joined the Texas Railroad Commission as Assistant State Director of the Oil and Gas Division which he retired from in 1994 as Director of the Oil and Gas Division. While at the commission he was instrumental in drafting the current laws and guidelines for the oil and gas industry.

Billy’s loves were his family, high school football, working in his yard, Hershey kisses and a good bourbon and coke. Over the course of his life he kept a detailed journal of the moments and events that mattered to him. He then had it published as a book for his family. This was his legacy of love for those he left behind. The hole he leaves in our lives is enormous for he was truly larger than life. But, the one thing he taught all of us is that love and time heals all wounds and there is nothing stronger than family.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Velma Hall and his father, E.R. (Shorty) Hall and his oldest brother, Martin Hall of Odessa, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 2nd from 5 pm to 8 pm at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, March 3rd at Marrs-Jones-Newby Chapel. Mr. Hall will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery, Bastrop, TX