Billy C Burr

Billy Calvin Burr, 94, of Amarillo died April 28, 2025.

The family will receive guests on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 3 pm to 5 pm at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 1:30 pm, at Southwest Church of Christ, 4515 Cornell St in Amarillo with Pastor Brian Mashburn presiding. Burial will be private.

Born June 22, 1930 in Sublette, Kansas to Alvoree and Nellie Burr. He grew up ranching in Colorado and Kansas where he had personal experience with the Dust Bowl days. He lived in Rocky Ford, CO during high school. He met the love of his life, Melba, in Rocky Ford, and they married on June 29, 1950. They lived in La Junta, Rocky Ford, Durango, El Paso, Wichita Falls and Amarillo.

Billy learned the cattle trading business from his Uncle Ed while living in El Paso. During that time he earned his pilot’s license for business reasons.

They had four children, Karen, Gail, Jimmy and Janet. In 1962 they moved to Wichita Falls to oversee a Tupperware distributorship. Billy managed the office and filled orders while Melba was in charge of sales. In 1970 Billy returned to his first love, cattle trading.

They moved to Amarillo in 1977. Billy loved being out at the ranch NW of Amarillo. He loved the challenge of getting rid of groundhogs and taking care of cattle. He loved giving tutorials on building fence to those brave enough to try. Riding a horse, killing a snake with the end of a rope, and shooting bobcats came second nature to him.

He served as a shepherd at Southwest Church of Christ for many years. He never danced around a topic or response. An honest answer was always expected. He loved to visit people in the hospital and pray with them. He was well known for hospitality, generosity and encouraging people in their faith.

He is survived by daughters Karen Rogers and husband Kelley, Janet Nix and husband Clinton, son-in- law, Robert Walter and wife Shirley; grandchildren, Korey Rogers, Courtney Jenkins, Brad Walter, Keith Rogers, Jane Marlar, Kayci Ross, Katy Taylor, Joe Walter, Emily Simpson, Charles Nix and James Nix; twenty-four great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren; sisters, Velva Powers and husband Marvin, Bonita Kitts and husband Rod, sister-in-law Janet Burr; and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Melba, son Jimmy Burr, daughter Gail Walter; brother Richard Burr; parents Alvoree and Nellie Burr.

The family suggests memorials be made to High Plains Children's Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, Tx 79114