Billy Reid

Billy Allen Reid was born July 2, 1948 in Smithville, Tx. and left this life on December 19. 2020. A celebration of his life will be held December 23rd, 2020 at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop, Tx. Survived by Son Charles Cody and Wife Joann, Daughter Marie Alewine and Husband Micheal, Son Neil Cody and Wife Staci, Daughter Wanda Cody, Son Billy Wayne Reid and Wife Jennifer. Grandkids; Kelly Goertz, Clayton Cody, Shelby Cody, Travis Alewine, Kaleb Reid, Kenadee Dolle, Dillian Miles, Shawn Slagenweit, Reid Miles. Great Grandkids Braylin, Caenin, Ike. Billy was predeceased in death by Wife Carolyn Reid, Father and mother Willard and Gladys Reid, Brothers AW Reid and Donnie Reid and many, many life long friends.

Billy grew up in Togo, Tx being raised by his uncle George Reid where his passion for cattle and ranching began. He started out his career welding for Brown and Root later moving on to driving a big rig for his first business ‘Reid Trucking’. He did that for 17 years before he found his love for Bar-B-Que and opening his own restaurant, Billy’s Barbecue March 2, 1982. His love of good Texas Bar-B-Que came from his father Willard who owned his own barbecue restaurant for 12 years, on Ally A in Bastrop Tx. Billy married the love of his life, Carolyn Ebner on December 23, 1973. They were married for 45 years before her departure from this life in 2018. They shared a life of comical banter and never ending love.

Over the years, Billy’s became a social center for local men and women where they would gather and shoot the bull. Son Neil shared that; Billy to the day he died that the two things that he loved the most was to be at the Barbecue pit and checking on his beloved cattle. Never missing a day of work his work ethic was legendary. Billy’s barbecue was an extension of his home and in many ways, it was as if you were spending time in his living room. Billy could always be found sitting at his chair at the side table in his restaurant greeting and hanging out with customers. He never started a day without his morning pow-wow, Billy could be found drinking coffee and enjoying the company and lively banter of his longtime friends.

Billy wasn’t much of a sports fan but was an avid outdoorsman and was a big hunter and fisherman. Checking trot lines in the morning and hunting in the evening. Billy was a huge gun enthusiast that had an appreciation for the sportsman life. Deer season was a highlight of the year. Son Billy Wayne shared that the deer lease was a place of all fun and no worries. Sitting around the campfire sharing stories and laughing into the night. Shooting countless Big Bucks that are on display at the pit.

There is one thing that we all can agree on and that is the fact that Billy had no problems telling you how it was or what he thought. He could be blunt and sometimes unforgiving with his beliefs, but he would give you the shirt of his back or help anyone in need. He will forever be a person that no one will ever forget and his legacy will live on forever. Billy loved hard, lived life to the fullest and will forever be missed.