Billie Burns, 96

Billie Edward Burns, age 96, of Brady, joined his Lord and Savior on March 18, 2024 in Houston. Bill was born April 1, 1927, in Voca, to Joseph Marvin Burns and Grace Media (Elliott) Burns. He attended Lost Creek School and Voca School and graduated from Brady High School in 1944.

He attended Texas A&M and was in the Corp of Cadets. He joined his father in the ranching business and was a lifelong rancher raising cattle, sheep and goats over the years. He married Wanda Slaughter of San Saba in 1962 and celebrated 61 wonderful years with her until her passing last fall. Bill was an avid hunter, whether it be at the family ranch in West Texas, New Mexico or Colorado.

He enjoyed traveling, especially in the Colorado mountains and Alaska. He had traveled to all states, with the exception of Hawaii, and to several countries. Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Brady serving on different committees over the years. He was a 77 year member of the Masonic Lodge in Camp San Saba. He was a member of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Sheep & Goat Association, McCulloch County Predator Association, Brady Band Boosters and other organizations serving as an officer in several.

He enjoyed visiting with friends and could often be found at his “office” at Auto Tech or Don’s Ice House helping solve local and world issues. Wednesday lunch with the guys at Chicken Express and Friday supper with friends at Dairy Queen were always something he looked forward to as well.

Most of all, he enjoyed being with family and never turned down an opportunity to be with them and was always looking for opportunities to spoil his granddaughters.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Media Nazarenus and husband, Steve, of Houston; granddaughters, Nicole Nazarenus and fiancé, Greg Seger, Laura Marcyes and husband, Max, all of Austin; daughter, Carol Burns of San Angelo; brother-in-law, Steve Slaughter and wife, Susan, of Belton; sister-in-law, Judy Slaughter of Andrews; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wanda Burns; son, James Marvin Burns; sister and brother-in-laws, Betty and Buck York, Jerry and Elva Slaughter, Gary Slaughter and Larry Slaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels in Brady with burial at Rest Haven Cemetery with Reverend Stacey Evans officiating. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 pm on Friday at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels.

Friends may view Bill’s memorial video tribute and/or sign his online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com. Pallbearers will be Gene Edmiston, Errett Edmiston, Dave Edmiston, Jerry Bratton, Joe Jordan and Chris Murray.

Honorary pallbearer will be Robert Barnhill. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill Burns may be made to the Voca Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 135, Voca, TX 76887 or a charity of your choice.