Billy W. Stevens, beloved husband, father and Papa to his children and grandchildren, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at the age of 74.
Billy was born on July 22, 1939, in Beeville, Texas, to Della Mulinix. As a small child, he lived on the YO Ranch where his father James "Short" Stevens was a cowboy. He attended school in a one room schoolhouse on the ranch. They later moved to Kerrville, Texas, where he graduated from Tivy High School in 1957. After graduation, Billy enlisted in the military where he served in The United States Air Force from 1957 through 1963. While assigned at Bentwaters AFB in England, he met and fell in love with Sheila who would become his wife of 51 years.
Billy worked alongside his father in the plumbing trade and later worked in San Antonio as a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142 where he worked on the Hemisfair Project from 1965 to 1968. In 1970 Billy went into business for himself here in Boerne, and in 1974 started the family business, Hill Country Plumbing, Inc. He was also a member of the Kendall Masonic Lodge #897 where he served as Secretary/Treasurer for several years and was very involved in the teaching of the Masonic workings.
Billy, "Uncle Billy/Papa", was a mentor to countless individuals here in the Boerne area and he will be sorely missed by many.
Billy was an avid deer hunter and was part owner of Continental Outfitters for many years. His love of horses led him to be a member of the Guadalupe Quadrille where he performed at rodeos all over South Texas, including San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. His greatest pride was in sharing his hunting and fishing passion with his children and grandchildren. Billy had a great sense of humor and spent countless hours surrounded by family and friends sitting around telling stories. Billy was most proud of his two daughters and their families.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila; daughters, Sherri Haverlah and husband Ken of Cypress and Suzanne Hagendorf and husband Darrel of Boerne; grandchildren: Zachary and Marissa Cook, Kali Skaggs, and Allison Haverlah. He was also recently blessed with a great grandson, Daxter Cook Roe. Billy is also survived by his siblings: Gordon Smith, Charlene Thompson, JD Smith, John Smith and LeAnn Cravey; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He will also be greatly missed by his special "best friend", Tula.
In addition to his parents, Della Stevens and James "Short" Stevens, he was also preceded in death by sisters, Jackie Bobeck and Johnny Sue Menn.
Billy set the example of what a good husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a true friend should be. His honesty and hard work along with his amazing heart and boundless strength is his legacy to the family he was devoted to. He will always have a special place in our hearts forever.
There will be a memorial service held Friday March 14, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home. Donations can be made in his honor to the Boerne Animal Shelter at 330 S. Esser Rd., Boerne, TX 78006. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select the Obituaries tab.
Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.