Billy grew up in Leonard, Texas. He worked at Leonard Farm and Ranch Store in Fort Worth as his first job. He graduated from Leonard High School and attended college. After college, he served in the United States Army from 1950 until 1952. Billy spent most of his career employed in sales communication at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he worked for 39 years. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Billy is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Jones Key; mother, Maude C. Woods; brother, Lowell Glendal Key, and Thomas Weldon Key; spouses, Dorothy Jane Powers, and Maxine Herrin.
Billy is survived by his daughter, Diane Hanson; son, David J. Key; grandchildren, Natalisa Key and fiancé Robert O'Neil, Rebecca Speller (Kyle), Lauren Ham (Nick), Teagon Holt, Rowan O’Neil, and Jaxson Speller.
