Billy Ray Klapper, legendary bit and spur maker, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the age of 87, at his home in Pampa with his daughters by his side.
The family received friends from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home. Celebration of Life services were held at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Briarwood Church with Pastor Ronnie Ferguson, retired pastor, and Johnny Trotter, Billy’s close friend, officiating. Music was performed by Bunk Skelton and Glen Spillers.
Pallbearers were Cody Wilson, Dusty Wilson, Drake Wilson, Darrel Yeates, Hayden Dixon, and Robby Briscoe. Honorary pallbearers were Maddux Yeates, Daniel Yeates, Gunner Wilson, Harlyn Wilson, Johnny Trotter, Cotton Elliott, Rick Crow, and Terry Stever. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.
Billy was born on April 19, 1937 in Lazare to Phillip and Minnie Gooding Klapper. He attended schools in Lazare and Quanah. After high school, Billy started working as a ranch hand at the Buckle L Ranch in Childress and later at the Y Ranch in Paducah. Billy spent a great deal of time with the famous bit and spur maker, Adolph Bayers, and in 1966 he made his first pair of spurs. The demand for Billy’s spurs grew, and he started making gear full-time in 1968. He was well known in the ranching and cowboying industry and was one of the few bit and spur makers that still made one-piece spurs. Billy’s bits and spurs are now collected worldwide. He made 682 different spur patterns and 816 different bit patterns. His patterns have been used by bit and spur makers but have never been duplicated. Billy created his legacy and changed the cutting horse industry by listening to what the cowboys wanted and making functional bits for their horses.
Billy met Roberta Watson in Amarillo through mutual friends and the two were married on February 2, 1973. They were married until her passing on August 6, 2021. Billy and Roberta enjoyed participating in the Pony Express Races, watching horse races, and going to bit and spur shows all over the state. He also enjoyed hunting, especially elk, mule deer, and aoudad. Billy will be remembered as a good man, a friend to all, and most of all a true cowboy. He is going to be deeply missed by his family and friends. Billy put the “western” in western heritage for years and now he is a part of the heritage.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Roberta Klapper; his parents, Phillip and Minnie Klapper; and four siblings, Dorothy Goodson, Joe Klapper, Gene Klapper, and Johnnie Taylor.
Billy is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Yeates and husband David of Victoria and Elizabeth Wilson of Palestine; six grandchildren, Rebecca Yeates, Darrel Yeates and wife Lauren, Mandy Wilson and husband James, Cody Ray Wilson and wife Christi, Dusty Wilson, and Drake Wilson and wife Brandy; nine great-grandchildren, Maddux Yeates, Daniel Yeates, Lacey Krawietz, Haylie Dixon, Hayden Dixon, Harlyn Ray Wilson, Gunner Wilson, Isabella Wilson, and Samantha Wilson; four stepchildren, Kathy Taylor and husband Charlie, Regina Dye, Glenda Briscoe, and Doug Watson; step-grandchildren, Autumn Sloan, Whitney Wagers, Dillon Dossey, Robby Briscoe, Lea Ann Joy, Terra Rhodes, Josalyn Penner, Shelton Watson, and Ricky Watson; and 23 step-great-grandchildren.
The Anvil by John Clifford
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door, And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; Then, lookin in, I saw upon the floor, Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one” said he, and then, with twinkling eye, “The anvil wears the hammers out you know.”
And so, thought I the anvil of God’s Word, For ages sceptic blows have beat upon; Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, The anvil is unharmed - the hammers gone!
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105 or the National Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 4th St, Lubbock, Texas, 79409.
Juan Macias Martinez, 28 de Burien, Washington, anteriormente de Friona fallecio el 21 de septiembre de 2024 cerca de Seattle, Washington. La vista se llevará a cabo de 9:00 AM a 8:00PM con servicios de rosario a las 6:00 PM Viernes, 27 de septiembre 2024 en el Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel de la funeraria con la Misa de Servicios de Entierro Cristiano fijado para 11:00AM Sábado 28 de septiembre 2024 en la Iglesia Católica de Santa Teresa con el Padre José Gómez como celebrante. Entierro en el Cementerio de Friona por HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home de Friona.
Juan nació el 19 de mayo de 1996 en Calvillo, Aguascalientes México a Juan Macias De Lara y Rosa Marta Martinez Avila. Él estaba en el negocio de la construcción durante varios años. Le gustaba pescar, viajar, jugar futbol y hacer ejercicio en el gimnasio.
Los que lloran su muerte incluyen a sus padres, Juan Macias De Lara, y Rosa Maria Martinez Avila de Friona, 3 hermanos-Guadalupe Macias de Lubbock Angel Macias y Alonso Macias de Friona, 3 hermanas-Carmen Macias, Angeles Macias y Rosa Macias, todas de Friona, y 2 sobrinos Jorge Luis Grado y Eryx Arturo Beltran.
Puede enviar bendiciones a la familia y firmar el libro de visitas en línea en la página conmemorativa de Juan exclusivamente en: hansardfamily.com
Juan Macias Martinez, 28 of Burien, Washington, formerly of Friona passed away September 21, 2024 near Seattle, Washington. Viewing was held from 9:00 AM to 8:00PM with Rosary Services at 6:00 PM Friday, September 27, 2024 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Mass of Christian Burial Services set for 11:00AM Saturday September 28, 2024 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church with Father Jose Gomez as Celebrant. Burial following in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Juan was born May 19, 1996 in Calvillo, Aguascalientes Mexico to Juan Macias De Lara and Rosa Marta Martinez Avila. He was in the construction business for several years. He loved to fish, travel, play football and work out in the gym.
Those to mourn his passing include his parents, Juan Macias De Lara, and Rosa Maria Martinez Avila of Friona, 3 brothers-Guadalupe Macias of Lubbock Angel Macias and Alonso Macias of Friona, 3 sisters-Carmen Macias, Angeles Macias and Rosa Macias, all of Friona, and 2 nephews Jorge Luis Grado and Eryx Arturo Beltran.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book on Juan’s memorial page exclusively at: hansardfamily.com.