Billy Ray Branch

Billy Ray (“Bill”) Branch of Cypress, Texas, passed away on Friday, November 25. Bill was born on March 31, 1934, to Myrtie (Flenniken) and Wallace Branch in a farmhouse near Many, Louisiana. Although the family struggled during the Great Depression, Bill spoke lovingly of his early family life. He graduated from DeRidder (LA) High School – class of 1952, where he was active in band, and choir, and was the star halfback for the football team.

From a young age, Bill knew he did not want to farm, and he aspired to pursue his college education to major in engineering. He worked numerous jobs to pay for his schooling and earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Southeastern Louisiana in 1957.

Toward the end of his college career, Bill met the love of his life, Lynden Dawn Foreman, on a blind date. They married on September 1, 1956, and over the next 10 years, Bill and Dawn welcomed three children; Rodney, Becky, and Anna. The loving couple had been blessed to recently celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary.

While raising his young family with Dawn, and working full time for Texas Eastern Pipeline, Bill earned his master’s degree in petroleum engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 1967. Immediately afterward, Bill began his career with ConocoPhillips and the family relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana.

Bill’s career with Conoco took him and Dawn to Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Wyoming in the U.S.; followed by assignments in Calgary, (Alberta) Canada, and Cairo, Egypt. Bill was thrilled to play golf in the shadow of the Great Pyramids while working in Cairo. Bill’s final assignment with ConocoPhillips was as general director for Polar Lights; the first Russian – American joint venture north of the Arctic Circle. During this time, Bill and Dawn resided in Moscow and traveled the world together. In 1994, the couple retired to Conroe, TX, and in 2015 they moved to their forever home in Cypress, TX.

Bill had a lifelong passion for golf and was fortunate to play the Old Course in Scotland, BlackJack, and Pebble Beach with his son, Rodney, and friends. He was a fan of Oklahoma (OU) and Louisiana State (LSU) college football, and was an avid Astros baseball fan. He also enjoyed cooking authentic cajun food and Bill’s smoked turkeys for holiday meals were a holiday classic. He was a devoted reader and enjoyed thriller and history novels. Bill was also a faithful Christian, and served as an usher and member of Sunday School at his Methodist Church in Conroe, Texas.

Bill was a loving caregiver to his wife, Dawn, dedicating his life to her support and care in their later years. His deep love and support for his family will never be forgotten. Bill will be remembered for his loving and generous spirit, extremely strong work ethic, quick wit, and sense of humor.

“Well done, good and faithful servant”. Matthew 25:23

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn, on October 13, 2022, and by his parents and his only sibling, sister Marie Kilman in 2017.

He is survived by three children: son, Rodney Lane Branch of Cypress, TX, and his wife, Renee; daughter, Rebecca Dawn (Becky) Ellsworth of Casper, WY, and her husband Philip; and Anna Elizabeth McMurray of Norman, OK, and her husband Eric.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Josh Branch of Denver, CO; Keaton Branch and his wife Dr. Kate Branch of Seattle, WA; Jordan Eubanks of Seattle, WA; Katie Eubanks of Houston, TX; Grant Bauer of Casper, WY; Corynn Hatchett and her husband Todd Hatchett of Burleson, TX; and Maura McMurray of Orlando, FL. In addition, he is survived by great-grandchildren Merak Sabatka of Seattle, WA; and Emmalynn Hatchett of Burleson, TX.

A visitation for Billy will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A reception will occur Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A committal service will occur Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Branch family.

The Salvation Army was one of Bill’s favorite organizations to donate and volunteer time. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Billy Ray Branch please visit https://give-sw.salvationarmy.org/give/433883/#!/donation/checkout , and use [email protected] as the recipients email address.