Billy Ray Wilcoxson

Billy Ray was born at the family farm outside of Edgewood, TX on August 11th to Benjamin and Hortense Wilcoxson as the fourth of six children. Soon after, the family moved to a farm just outside of Wills Point, TX where Billy Ray’s parents finished raising their children. Although Billy Ray moved to Dallas as a young man, his parents resided in Wills Point till their passing.

Billy Ray attended Wills Point schools and graduated in 1953. After graduation he moved to Dallas, Texas and began working for Safeway Food Stores as a butcher.

Living in Dallas, Billy Ray soon met and married the love of his life, Joyce Laverne Devenport. The two were married in Rockwall, Texas on July 9th, 1954. They had two sons, Steven Ray and Larry Gene. Billy Ray and Joyce celebrated 62 years of marriage and were long time members of Pleasant Terrace Baptist Church.

When Billy Ray wasn’t spending time with those that called him Papaw, he was working with his hands on any number of projects. Always loyal to his farm boy roots, Billy Ray built a variety of items for both himself and his family including model ships in bottles, wooden rocking horses, chairs, and benches. Although Billy Ray largely devoted his days to caring for his friends, family, and neighbors he also enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, hunting, fishing. One special and fulfilling past-time for Billy Ray was working on cars with John Avery, his best friend and neighbor.

Billy Ray also enjoyed traveling tremendously. He hunted in Colorado, visited Hawaii for his 50th wedding anniversary and traveled several times with Larry, Connie and the kids to Utah. Billy Ray jumped at the chance to learn to ski in his sixties and to drive a snow mobile. He always had a pan ready and waiting for his opportunity to pan for gold in Colorado.

Billy Ray retired from Safeway Food Stores after 33+ years as a butcher and went on to start a small lawn & handyman business which continued until returning until to the age of 76 when he took over the full-time care of his wife. Billy Ray was a Master Mason in good standing with the Edwin J. Kiest No. 1310 Grand Lodge of Texas at the time of his death.

Billy Ray Wilcoxson was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents, Benjamin & Hortense, his four siblings; Lynell, Phyliss, George and Gerald. He is survived by his brother Eugene, his sons Larry & Steven, and six grandchildren; La Cresha, Thomas, Nichole, Christian, Benjamin and Samuel. Despite only having six grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and their children affectionately knew him as “Papaw”, all of whom will miss him deeply.