Billie Lou Price

Billie Lou Bryson Price passed away on September 25 at home, surrounded by family, after a brief but difficult battle with cancer. A graveside ceremony will be held on Monday, September 30th at 2:00 pm, at the Liberty Hill Cemetery Pavilion.

Billie Lou was born on October 11, 1938, in the brand new Shepperd Hospital in Burnet, which was at that time located on Highway 281 north. Her parents were Seth Shepard (Bill) Bryson, Jr. and Rachel Estelle Asher Bryson

She was raised on the family ranch which is located in north eastern Burnet county, near the Joppa community. With the exception of a few years for college and as a young adult, she spent all of her life living at the ranch, which is where she was always the most comfortable. She attended school in Bertram, graduating in 1957. In high school, she was involved in many activities, including the National Honor Society, cheerleading, and Miss Bertram High School 1957.

Billie Lou attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, where she graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and remained active with the group for much of her life. In 1959 she was named a “Southwestern Beauty.” Also while enrolled at Southwestern, she attended summer courses at The University of Texas at Austin, and also The University of Colorado at Boulder.

After graduating, and not quite ready to teach, she took a job as a civilian recreational specialist at Fort Hood, Texas. While working at Fort Hood, she went on a blind date with a young regular Army Captain named E.B. Price, a native of Granbury. Their first date was in December of 1962, a whirlwind romance ensued, and they were married March 31, 1963. They would remain married for the next 61 years.

Shortly after they were married, the young couple welcomed their first child, a son named William. Soon E.B. was scheduled for deployment overseas as part of his military obligations. He left for Korea the same day young William took his first steps, and was in Korea for the next nine months. Upon E.B’s return, the young couple decided that family life was their preference to the military, and E.B. honorably discharged from the military in 1966.

That same year the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Alice. When Alice was brought home from the hospital, that home was now an old two story ranch house on the family property where Billie Lou always wanted to be, and where she lived the rest of her life.

Billie Lou was an active homemaker, and participated in many clubs and activities within her Hill country community. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, as well as a member of the PTA,Burnet Booster Club, Burnet County Library Board, the American Cancer society, and Epsilon Pi service sorority.

She was a devoted mother who attended almost every activity her children were involved in. This included dance recitals, spelling bees, field days, field trips, Halloween carnivals, as well as numerous football, baseball, and basketball games.

She was an active member of the Joppa Baptist church, teaching Sunday school, and serving as the secretary and treasurer for many years. In later years, she and E.B. became members of the First Baptist Church of Lampasas.

Billie Lou is survived by her loving husband E.B. Price of 61 years. Son William “Bill“ Price, and wife Jena of Lampasas. Daughter Alice Price and husband Jeffery Charlton of Bertram. Sister Rachel Bryson of Burnet, and grandchildren Parker Price Gregg of San Marcos, Bryson William Price of Austin, Celie Elizabeth Price of Denton, Avery Mae Charlton of Horseshoe Bay and William Asher “Will” Gregg of San Marcos. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews from all across the United States.

We would like to thank the New Century Hospice group for their guidance and loving care bestowed on our “Lulu” during the final weeks of her life. Along with Sandra Reyes, Tina Van Hook, and numerous other caregivers that guided all of us through her last days. We are forever grateful.