Billy Ray Chesnut

1930 - 2021

Billy Ray Chesnut, 90, of Dalhart, Texas died January 11, 2021. Graveside services will be provided by Horizon Funeral Home at 10 am Feb 5, 2021 in Dalhart. Celebration of life reception will be at the Chesnut Barn 1300 SE 46th , Amarillo, Tx beginning at 2 pm.

Billy was born on February 5, 1930 in Dalhart, Texas to Edna and A. G. (Gus) Chesnut. Billy graduated from Dalhart High School in 1948 and attended Texas Tech University where he graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry Class of 1952. While attending Texas Tech he married his high school sweetheart and wife of 72 years Clarene Dye Chesnut. They returned to Dalhart to begin a lifelong career in agriculture. Under Clarene's steady supervision Billy farmed and ranched in Dallam county his entire life. He sold his last farm eleven days before his death. Not ready to retire he stayed busy going to sales and buying cattle those last eleven days.

Mr. Chesnut served on many boards including President of Dalhart CO-OP, Dalhart School Board and Dalhart Country Club. He worked as an XIT Rodeo and Reunion Director and past Director for many years. He served on the Vestry and as a Lay Reader at St James Episcopal Church. In the early years, to help make land payments, he was simultaneously bus driver, shop teacher, science teacher and Principal for Hartley High School. Each year he and Clarene took the senior class on their senior trip to Colorado. He was an original shareholder in Carrizzo Feeders and served several terms as directors of the Amarillo Production Credit Association and then the Texas Farm Credit Bank System in Austin where he made lifelong friends around the state. He was a pilot and enjoyed flying all over the country.

He is survived by his wife Clarene Dye Chesnut and their four children: Two Daughters, Vanna Sheets and husband Bob and Leslie David and husband John. Two Sons, Jeff Chesnut and wife Denise and Nick Chesnut and wife Susan: Eleven grandchildren Alison Sheets Tamplin, Lauren Sheets Prater and husband Michael, Travis David and wife Lindsay, Katy David McGuffey and husband Wesley, Madison David, Lizzy Chesnut Bentley, Gus Chesnut, Maggy Chesnut, Sierra Bartholomew, Allison Stokes, Abbie Ellis and husband Dustin: Great grandchildren Abel, Solon, Emmett, Cecily, Mallory, Gray, Charlie, Violet, Luca, Ivey, Nile and Clarey.

Two sisters and their families: Merle Morrison Lorenzo, Tx and Gussie McDermett Lubbock/Houston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gus and Edna.

Special thanks to new friends and staff at Park Place Tower in Amarillo for much needed companionship, humor and support these last few years. In lieu of flowers please direct gifts to St. James Episcopal Church in Dalhart.