Billy Ray Wilcox

Billy Ray Wilcox passed away on February 1, 2026. He was born on February 9, 1947, in Red River County, Texas. He was the fourth of eleven children born to the late Robert Lee Wilcox and Ella Belle Pace Wilcox.

Billy was raised in Northeast Texas near the Clarksville area and in the Texas Panhandle in Slaton. After graduating from Slaton High School in 1966, he attended construction trade school at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, in 1974. He married Nancy Carol Peters on September 19, 1981.

He was a Jehovah’s Witness, baptized in June 1991, and served in various congregations in Texas and Costa Rica. The pinnacle of his service was during his eight-year residence in Costa Rica, where he led construction projects and oversaw the building of numerous Kingdom Halls. Additionally, he worked at the Bethel Headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica, performing construction work for the organization there. He cherished these times greatly and often spoke fondly of his work.

Billy retired in Alpine, Texas, where he enjoyed the desert, the mountains, and the tranquility of the area. Subsequently, he relocated to Rockport, Texas, to pursue his love of fishing, one of his favorite hobbies. After a prolonged battle with cancer, he chose to settle in Seguin, Texas, in 2025, to be closer to his son.

A skilled builder and craftsman, Billy was adept in construction and created many items using his lathe and various tools in his workshop. He was an animal lover, finding great joy in spending time with his dog Fiona, and he enjoyed observing birds and other wildlife outdoors. He also assisted his son with his construction business in Seguin, offering guidance and seeing projects through to completion.

Billy is survived by his wife Nancy of Seguin, Texas and his three children: Billy Ray Wilcox, Jr. (Denise) of Seguin, Texas; Dana Lee Brotherwood (Tony) of Lampasas, Texas; and Amanda Lyn Bratten (Greg) of Fairbanks, Alaska. Billy and Nancy were also very close with their niece, Thea (David) Monahan of Austin, Texas. He leaves behind nine grandchildren—Bethany, Maggie, Ella, Cole, Lily, Kristina, Chelsea, Brandon, and Derrick—as well as two great-grandchildren and Thea’s children, June and Alice.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Bobby, Carl, David, Richard, and sister Nancy. He is survived by his brothers Robert, Tommy, Larry, Jimmy, and sister Marsha. Billy also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many close friends.

Memorial services will be held on February 21, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 1367 Eastwood Drive in Seguin, Texas, at 2:00 PM. A secondary memorial service will take place at Crossroads Church, 3455 US Hwy 90 in Seguin, Texas, at 4:00 PM.