It’s been been one year since my dear friend, Billy Dalton passed & “Knock, Knock, Knocked On Heavens Door.” Needless to say “I’ve Been Tangled Up In Blue.” Soon I’ll be making my journey to Tulsa, OK to visit The Bob Dylan Center. You will be with me in spirit. God Bless You & as always Billy, “This Bud’s For You!”

In Billy’s obituary it was stated that he had so many close friends and treated every friend like they were his best friend. He certainly made me feel that way.

This past December was the last time I saw Billy. It was at our annual Xmas social. We sat next to each other as he talked about his wonderful birthday trip his family gave him to Arizona. He stated it was one of the greatest things he had experienced in his lifetime. He also shared his latest thoughts on sex, race, religion & politics. No subjects were off limits to Billy.

Billy was a true “Renaissance Man” I loved his stories about The Old South & The Civil War. He and I shared a fondness for Bob Dylan and other musicians. A few years ago we attended Donovan’s 50th anniversary concert at the Wortham Center. We stopped by The Hard Rock Cafe for happy hour before the concert. There he gave me a tour and history of all the memorabilia there. We then proceeded to the concert. Of course Billy had a front row seat while mine was in the upper balcony.

Some of the things I learned from Billy’s vast knowledge were:
-there are no bengal tigers in Louisiana
-in Bob Dylan’a song Rainy Day Women, the line “everybody must get stoned” does not refer to getting high on drugs or alcohol.

In closing, to steal a line from Bob Dylan, Billy is “knock, knock, knocking on Heaven’s door”. Everyone knows Billy’s choice of beverage was Budweiser. Billy, this bud is for you! God Bless America, God Bless Dixie, & God Bless Billy Dalton.

Marian,

I just found about about Billy today.  I am so sorry for your loss.
Billy was a great guy and one of the funniest guys I knew,
If I can do anything, please let me know.

My deepest condolences on Billy's passing. I enjoyed working with him on various oil and gas landman projects throughout Texas. He was quite a character and will be greatly missed. 

I am so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. He and his family will be in my prayers. Growing up with Janie and Sissy, he was like a brother to me. Always funny and crazy.  So many wonderful memories… I know he will be missed.  Love to all, Babs Puderer

Billy was my oldest brother Larry’s  best friend.  He always. Always made me feel special. I have never been with him and not had a belly laugh from one of his stories.   He was the reason I became a pole vaulter in high school, and also the reason I became interested in making 8mm movies as a kid. It is a tremendous lost for us, but he was a great blessing to my life.  Sincere condolences to the family, as our lives were enriched  beyond words by Billy.  God Bless you. We love Billy, and I know he loved us. What a gift he was.

Billy was one amazing Unique fun loving man, we’re glad to have known him.   Shannon and Shayne you had a special dad, I’m so sorry you loss him so early.   Marian, you  and Billy were blessed to have a wonderful marriage and two beautiful children and grand children.  Billy left his mark in each of you and his friends.   His foot print will continue to live through his stories and in your dreams.   I love telling the story how I saw this man at the Renaissance festival and I said “Billy?”   Well it was Billy in his Dorothy outfit, because how many gown man walk around in a Dorothy dress.  Not many and he did it so well.  Sending you all love and prayers for this difficult time.  

My best friend since 7th grade. He made me laugh like no one else. Now he's made me cry like no one else. Loved him so much. Good bye my friend. Nothing will be same again.

To the man who had the best nicknames for his loved ones and always lived life to the fullest. The man who whole heartedly loved his family, friends and all strangers or acquaintances he encountered. He was hilarious, passionate about music, sports, history, politics, comedy, movies and being an exceptionally kind human. He was simply irreplaceable and one of a kind. Anyone who even simply met him or knew him well, feels the pain of this loss. Cherishing all the memories and love for you, forever! Thanks for being simply you, Billy! 

XO buttercup/roger/themirrors/paige 

God only knows what I’d be without you. 

Can’t imagine life without you.

Sending love and condolences from the Pagano and O’Connell families. Billy was truly one of a kind - I have wonderful memories of him from my time spent at the Dalton’s home in my childhood and know he will be truly missed by all of those who had the opportunity to know him. May he Rest In Peace. 

I know what this man meant to me, but it is so heart warming to see what he meant to everyone else.  Whether he knew you for 60 years or just in passing,  he left his mark.  The world will never be the same without him.  He was a perfect dad, role model and best friend.  I will love him forever and do my best to carry on his remarkable legacy.  "You can come back and be with me.. you might say, I'm here for you."  Love you forever and always. 

We will alway remember Billy.    He was an  amazing neighbor and friend.   Enjoyed always hearing Billy Rocking out and singing.     His fun memories and stories.      No one will ever fill the shoes of Billy.         Thinking of the family at this time. RIP Billy.

The Feen Family 

Marion and girls, Rusty and I were truly shocked to learn of Billy’s passing. My sympathies go out to you, your daughters and the rest of your family.  Although we haven’t been in touch much these past years, Billy was a huge part of my childhood! I always thought of him as the brother I never had. I looked up to him. I spent most of my summers  and vacations with Aunt Fran and Uncle Billy!  Aycock   Street was my playground.  Billy, Janie, Sissy and I  would stay up late on Saturday nights and watch Morgus. He is the reason for my love of Universal Monsters and Star Trek. I can still see him as The Wolfman or Mr. Spock.     As we grew older and had our own families, I am sorry we lost the closeness we once shared. May God bring some sort of peace to you and your girls in this time of sorrow. He was truly a wonderful cousin! May he rest in the arms of the angels!  Love to you all , Rusty and Debby Belsome

Marian,
It's been many years since I've seen you and Billy, all the way back to the Amoco days in N.O. Even so, I've kept up with you through Margaret, so it comes as a shock and surprise to hear of Billy's passing. 
I never really had the chance to get to know Billy very well, only a couple of conversations at parties. My impression was that he was a very interesting and knowledgeable individual. But only after reading the obituary did I come to realize how much  we had in common. I'm so sorry that I didn't get to know both of you better.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours.


It’s been awhile since we have seen Billy, but remember years ago at a party, our kids were there too- there was a karaoke machine and Billy entertained us all evening!!! He always had such an exuberance to him!  Even if we just ran into him briefly at a restaurant- he was always so excited to see friends . Our prayers go out to Marian, the girls and his friends. 

Marti and Mike McAnulty

Losing a loved one is difficult but losing Billy is beyond difficult. We not only lose a loved one but we lose one of the most unique personalities I have ever or will ever know.  I would just shake my head at his sense of humor. Who wakes up one day and says “I am going to teach myself to play the guitar”and a few months is playing in front of an audience. Billy!  To say he enjoyed life is an understatement.  We all have lost a special guy.   Love  Brian and Sandi Davies

I met Billy in 1963 at Holy Cross. We have been best friends  ever since. We've shared many experiences from football to track & field, years at USL.  We celebrated our children's birthdays and weddings. We comforted each other through the loss of loved ones,  We've shared it all!  I have so many stories from our 59 years of friendship. I introduced him to Marian, whom I worked with at Amoco, and the rest is history. Our story was not suppose to end this soon. I’ll always miss you, my buddy.
My deep felt  sympathy to Marian,,Shannon, Shayne,  and the rest of his family and friends. May God bless his loved ones. The world will never be the same without him.

How can I put into words my relationship with Billy? He always said I was a saint to be married to his best buddy. He always made me feel special!
He, his dad, and Uncle Jack shared the best stories at his parties. We listened and laughed until we cried. His personality was larger than life. When Marian came into his life, she was everything he needed and more. The four of us had so much fun together. The miles could not keep us apart.  We looked forward to the USL reunions in the Dome, Holy Cross reunions, Galveston, or any chance to get together. He knew  more trivia and history than anyone I know. He loved his music and pole vaulting, and his dogs (Asta, Reb, and Toto). Most of all he loved his daughters and grandchildren deeply. He will never be forgotten.  This is a tough one to accept.
 My thoughts and prayers go out to Marian and his family.
I can’t wait to celebrate the birth of their grandson.  ❤️🙏💔

This man changed my life in so many ways. He believed in me when I didn’t. He saw potential in me, and always encouraged me to keep going. He has taught me so much about the vault, and I will cherish all the memories we have made together. I will never forget the first day I met him when some random dude came up to me and asked “is your mother named liz?” He was the best storyteller too, always there to make me laugh at practice when things weren’t going well. It was truly destiny that I met Billy, and I know he will always be there in spirit cheering me on at every meet. “Hit print!”

It was so awesome to know this man!  We became friends immediately!  Don’t think I’ll ever meet anyone like Billy!  He taught my son so much about Polevaulting… he has truly been an important part of my son, Kaius’ Polevaulting success!  Until we meet again my Brother.. much love from the Northcutt family ❤️❤️

To your family, I am so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing.  He will be remembered as my friend and  Holy Cross brother, class of ‘69!
Ronnie Quick

Dear Marian, Shannon and Shane - My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. May God's grace bring you peace  in knowing that Billy is with our Lord in Heaven. 
Billy has been a part of my life since Holy Cross, USL, and here in Texas There's no one like Billy, and there will never be. He was always the shining light in any gathering, telling stories and fondly reciting  memories of our school days. I will miss his dear friendship. 
God Bless you all.
Love,
Warren Villar 

Marian,
I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 

Lee Johnson

Marian - This is just a little note from a long-lost Amoco friend and co-worker who very much enjoyed knowing and working with you for many, many years.  Pat and I were deeply saddened to hear of Billy's passing.  You, Billy and your entire family have been in our thoughts and prayers ever since.   Please accept our very sincere sympathies for your loss.  
Prayers for you and the family -- 
Bob & Pat Giraud  

Please accept the condolences from Billy's classmates from Holy Cross School Class of 1969. He is fondly remembered and will be greatly missed by all. 







May the arms of God that welcomed Billy into heaven be the same that hold his family close in comfort at this difficult time.  Know that he will be remembered in the Masses and prayers of the Brothers of Holy Cross.

May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.

William J. Gallagher
Headmaster
Holy Cross School
New Orleans, Louisiana

OBITUARY

William "Billy" Dalton

17 November, 1951 – 9 May, 2022

Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home

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