Billy Joe McFall

Billy Joe McFall, 83, of Pampa, passed from this life peacefully, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at his home with his wife and children by his side.

Services were held at Central Baptist Church on Friday, June 7, 2013, with Pastor Norman Rushing officiating. Burial followed at Citizen’s Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas, under the direction of Carmichael Whatley Funeral Directors.

Billy Joe was born December 2, 1929, to Sid and Delila McFall, of Polar, Texas. The family later relocated to Quitique, Texas. At the age of 13, Billy Joe left home to work as a cowboy for the R O Ranch near Clarendon which was owned by the Lewis family. While there, Billy Joe made his home with Johnnie Rex and Bill McClellan at Hodge Camp south of McLean and would later move to the ranch headquarters northeast of Clarendon. He was the oldest of the 3 remaining R O Ranch cowboys – the others being Butch Turpin and Joe Glass, both of McLean. Billy Joe later worked for the late Jake Chamberlain, who managed the Shoe Bar and Shoe Nail Ranches.

From 1950 – 1952 he served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. After returning from his tour overseas, he married Jo Dean Trout, and began his work on the Sitter Ranch.

In 1966, Billy Joe moved from ranching life to Pampa to begin his livestock management tenure at Heaton Cattle Company and then managed the Wheeler Feed Yard until his retirement.

Billy Joe was the epitome of a southern gentleman and a true cowboy through and through. He devoted his life to the cowboy way which was evident in his character, beliefs, remarkable and respected business sense. He took the very essence of what being a cowboy was all about and displayed this through his artistic abilities through leather works, rawhide plaiting, and horse shoe creations. Growing up with parents who were share croppers he knew from a very young age that adversity was not a time to give up but to survive the best you could. He had an impeccable work ethic and expected no less from others. He was very much a perfectionist and believed that a hand shake was your word. He always helped anyone in need and felt his horse was his partner.

On February 14, 2009, Billy Joe married, Roberta Collins. They resided east of Pampa where they have enjoyed family and worshipping together at Central Baptist Church.

Billy Joe’s all time motto was: Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. –John Wayne.

Billy Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Jo Dean, parents Sid and Delila McFall, his brother, Sid McFall, son-in-law, James Pergeson and great-granddaughter, Kensi Jo McFall.

Survivors include wife, Roberta, of the home, son, Gary McFall, and wife, Cheryl, of Pampa, daughter, Donna Simpson, and husband, Scott, of Morton, daughter, Diane Goodman, and husband Anthony, of Pampa, and daughter, Danette Powell, and husband, John, of Fort Worth along with 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and one on the way. Also surviving are step-daughters Tammy Hiett, Dianne Cornelison, and husband, Jackie, and Sebrina Ozment and husband, DJ, all of Amarillo, 3 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren, his 2 brothers, Jack McFall, and wife, Jo Ann, of Silverton, Texas, and Bud McFall of Cottage Grove, Oregon, and sister Alpha McFall of Watsonville, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Baptist Church, 513 E. Francis, Pampa, Texas, 79065, Citizens Cemetery, P.O. Box 983, Clarendon, Texas, 79226 or Saints Roost Museum, P.O. Box 781, Clarendon, Texas 79226.