Billy Ray Smith

Mr. Billy Ray Smith, age 87, of Burton, TX, passed away on June 20, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and his family will hold a private memorial gathering.

Bill was born on January 9, 1936, in Itawamba County, Mississippi, to parents Roy and Cleo (Sartain) Smith. He grew up in Tremont, Mississippi, and in Red Bay, Alabama. Bill grew up on the family farm, surrounded by several brothers and sisters. Bill enjoyed sports and had fond memories of playing basketball during high school. He also enjoyed shooting pool and was a member of many pool leagues throughout his life.

On July 1, 1967, Bill was united in marriage with his loving wife, Linda Fay Pech. Bill was a loving father to Linda’s son Stoney, formally adopting Stoney soon after their marriage. Bill and Linda built a happy and successful life together, enjoying nearly 56 years of marriage prior to Bill’s passing.

As a young man, Bill pursued a career in the fire sprinkler industry. Through on-the-job training, college courses, and some self-taught skills, Bill built a highly successful career. Bill was detail-oriented, intelligent, self-motivated, and a hard worker. Over the years he was employed by various fire sprinkler companies and acquired valuable skills and knowledge along the way. As the industry evolved, Bill learned and grew along with it, and became well versed in automatic sprinkler systems as they rose in popularity. He spent much of his life in Houston, TX, owning and operating his own companies: Rainmaker, and later Cardinal Fire Protection. Bill was passionate about his work and ensuring customer satisfaction, and as a result he had many longtime clients and returning customers.

After a long and prosperous career, Bill retired from full-time work, and he and Linda relocated to Burton to live near their son, Stoney. Bill enjoyed life in a more rural area where he could hunt, fish, and spend time in nature. He spent many happy hours woodworking, building useful and beautiful items that his family could enjoy. Bill and Linda were welcomed into the Brenham Cowboy Church and enjoyed the fellowship they found there. Bill had a lifelong love of music, and in recent years he would fill his spare time by singing and playing guitar and piano. He loved traditional folk and country music and was a longtime Chet Atkins fan. He knew many of his songs by heart and loved playing them on his guitar. 

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Linda Fay; son Stoney Smith and wife Julie Smith; grandkids Brian Smith, Melissa Sanchez, Amber Johnston, and Amie Smith; great-grandkids Christian Pratt, Sophia Sanchez, Lilyanna Sanchez, Carsyn Pratt, and Ava Sanchez; sisters Linda Stanley Gillett and Wanda Perkins; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.