William "Billy Bob" Schneider

1939 - 2025

August 30, 1939 - December 16, 2025 William Robert "Billy Bob" Schneider - a beloved husband, father, and grandfather,

passed away on December 16, 2025, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a

legacy of faith, hard work, and devotion to family.

Billy Bob was born on August 30, 1939, to Robert Conrad and Emilie (Dechert)

Schneider in their home within the Prairie Mountain Community of Llano County, Texas.

From that day forward, Billy Bob was an anchor in his community.

He was baptized on November 16, 1939 in the Prairie Mountain Methodist Church

which was held in the Prairie Mountain School Building. He was confirmed in this church

on April 25, 1948. He also attended services at Christ Lutheran Church in Cherry

Spring, where his father was a member. He was a student at the Prairie Mountain

School for three years, until it was consolidated with Llano Independent School District,

where he completed school. Many of Billy Bob's closest friends shared their childhoods

in the Prairie Mountain schoolhouse.

Billy Bob was active on the Llano Yellowjackets football team as well as in 4-H and FFA.

He showed steers, hogs, chickens, turkeys, and lambs along with being a member of

the livestock, poultry, and meats judging teams who went to state twice. These

experiences instilled his passion for ranching, which continued through the rest of his

life.

After high school, he joined the Army Reserves and took training at Fort Chaffee,

Arkansas. He served for nine years in the Reserves and attained the rank of Sergeant

E5 and was a mess steward for his company. After returning from Fort Chaffee in 1958,

Billy Bob began working at Buttery Hardware in Llano, Texas.

On January 8, 1961, Billy Bob married the love of his life, Ethel Sublett, in the Holy

Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. For 64 years, their marriage was a

beautiful illustration of God's love for the church, and acts as an example for all those

lucky enough to witness them together. Right after their wedding, Billy Bob and Ethel

built a home on the family ranch right next to his childhood home where his parents still

resided. They spent their entire adult life in this home. Billy Bob and Ethel have one

daughter, Angela Kay, born January 20, 1962.

Billy Bob held many different roles at Buttery Hardware but eventually became a

traveling salesman which allowed him to exercise his "Gift of Gab", love of power tools,

and make friends all over the state of Texas. He worked at Buttery's for 27 years until he

eventually went to work for Texas Outdoor Power Equipment in 1985. He worked there

until he retired in 2001. His most prized possession was the Scag lawnmower he was

gifted upon retirement from Texas Outdoor Power Equipment. Billy Bob was a rancher

his entire life. He spent his weekdays on the road selling hardware and power tools and

would come home to his ranch work on the weekends.

Billy Bob has been active in the community. He has served as president of the Farm

Bureau, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, Prairie Mountain

Community Club, served on the board of directors of the Soil Conservation Service,

member of the Hill Country Livestock Raisers, member of Prairie Mountain Wildlife

Association, and served on the Llano County Emergency Service District #3.

Billy Bob and Ethel have been devoted members of the Lutie Watkins United Memorial

Methodist Church in Llano, Texas for over 60 years. Billy Bob's Christian faith was the

foundation of his life. His actions exemplified the golden rule of "Do unto others as you

would have them do unto you" as his eagerness and ability to help numerous family

members, friends and neighbors. He was an eternal optimist who never let hardship get

in the way of happiness, even during his final days.

Billy Bob was known for his infectious laugh and cheerful demeanor. He had a funny

story about every small town in Texas, but made it clear he loved Llano the most. He

loved ranching, spring-time wildflowers, gardening, and spending every moment

possible with family.

Billy Bob is survived by his cherished wife, Ethel Schneider; his daughter, Angela "Kay"

Virdell and her husband, Mikel Virdell; his granddaughter, Amy Center; his grandson,

Matthew Center and his wife, Amanda; his step-grandchildren, Tory Virdell, Tara Bock

and her husband, Todd, Tana Virdell, Katy Hahn and her husband, Adam, Jerrod Virdell

and his wife, Lindsey; and 13 step-great-grandchildren, Ashli Bock, Demi Bock, Hilton

Bock, Clarke Watson, Walker Watson, Jorja Jumes, Denys Hahn, Ramsey Hahn, Ezra

Hahn, Brody Virdell, Magi Virdell, Jake Virdell, and Ben Virdell.