Billy Joe Dilbeck

1939 - 2019

Billy Joe Dilbeck, longtime Osage Rancher and cowboy was born April 11, 1939 in Pawhuska, OK to William Penn and Matte Elsie Newport Dilbeck. He was the middle child of their five sons, Leroy, Levoy, James, and Robert. He grew up helping his family work; sharecropping and picking corn with a wagon and team, then later in the oil fields, mostly in the Naval Reserve area. Billy Joe grew up in a time when children worked hard to help support the families and carried that work ethic throughout his life.
He attended grade school in Gray Horse, Oklahoma and High School in Fairfax, Oklahoma. He was tall, slim, and athletic and enjoyed playing basketball. He became ill during his junior year of high school nearing death of suspected leukemia, fortunately it turned out to be mono. In the time it took for Billy to finally regain his health, all of his friends had graduated and he never returned to graduate high school. This was the one thing he regretted throughout his life.
On October 2, 1958 he married Rosemary Goad. To this union they added a son, Timothy Edward and a daughter, Shella Dene.
Billy Joe was a man of many trades some included oil field work, for many years he pumped oil for many companies. He also worked for OSU Research Center handling cattle. However, he mainly worked as a cowboy and rancher for several area ranches. Some include; Hamill Ranch, Mills Ranch, Lazy S Ranch, Mullendore Little Chief Ranch, Craddock Ranch, Drummond Ranch, Hewlitt Ranch, Saundra Drummond Ranch and the Harrison Ranch where he was still employed at the time of his death.
Billy Joe's passion was roping. When he wasn't on the job he was hitching up the horse trailer and heading to enter a roping. Even if he was recuperating from an injury he still went to watch his fellow roping companions both young and old. Billy Joe never realized he was considered a legend and mentor for many people. He was always supportive and encouraging to all the young newcomers. Throughout his roping career he won numerous saddles, buckles, tack, and a trailer. In 1984 he and Dwayne Ramey won the Cavalcade Team Roping Championship. In the latest years he enjoyed roping in the Senior Pro Rodeo Association.
Billy Joe is survived by his companion and side kick of almost 35 years, Sue Hammond, son and daughter; Tim Dilbeck and Shella Dilbeck Crabtree, both of Fairfax, OK, stepson and daughter-in-law; John and Delena Hammond of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, grandsons; Logan Dilbeck and Dylan Crabtree, step grandsons; D.C. Crabtree, Scott Crabtree, and John Hammond Jr., step granddaughters; Sara Hammond and Kadey Scharnhorst, great grandchildren; Warren John Hammond and Jaxson William Dilbeck, brother and sister-in-law; Robert and Mildred Dilbeck of Mesa, AZ, sister-in-law; Louise Dilbeck of Ponca City, OK as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Levoy, James and Leroy, and one grandson; Jason Ray Dilbeck.
Billy Joe will be carried to his final resting place by his pallbearers; Logan Dilbeck, Dylan Crabtree, Justin Patterson, Chet Herren, John Graham, Lonnie Ware and Tim Kill
In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Billy Joe's honor to the MDS Foundation. Donations can be made at www.mdsfoundation.org.