William "Billy" Fred Platt

William Fred Platt was born on October 24, 1936, in Austin, Texas to John R. and Sybal Hogan Platt and left the river bottom for higher ground on May 30, 2022. He was named for his uncles Will Platt, Jr. and Fred Hogan, but was immediately christened “Billy Fred.” He had many nicknames, like “BR549,” “Frank Buck” and “Fret,” but his favorite was the one bestowed by his grandkids who lovingly called him “Boom.”

Billy Fred was a descendant of Reuben and Sarah Hornsby, a member of the original 300 colonists that came to Central Texas with Stephen F. Austin, and was a member of the organization Children of the Republic of Texas. He was the sixth generation to farm the land that came to be known as Hornsby Bend, part of which is currently home to Tesla.

When Billy Fred became school-aged, his parents moved into town so that he and his brother John could attend school in Austin. He had many fond memories and told colorful stories of those years living in Travis Heights where he made many of his lifelong friends. Some claim those South Austin boys were wild and crazy and Billy Fred was a legend among them.

Billy Fred was an avid outdoorsman and, while he thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, more than anything else he enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship with his hunting buddies. It didn’t matter if they were on the peaks of Colorado, in the wild territories of Canada, at the South Texas deer lease, or just sitting in the back yard on the Colorado River hunting doves, he cherished those times and loved to tell tall tales and hunting stories to anyone who would listen.

On the July 4th weekend of 1958, Billy Fred and his buddies Howard and Jessie were driving through the hill country near Marble Falls when they came upon a young lady with car trouble on the side of the road just outside of town. After getting her car running, they followed her into town and when she pulled into a drive-in, they pulled in next to her. Howard and Jessie dared him to jump into the car with her and ask her out. Billy Fred and Betty Forehand were married the next year on June 27, 1959, and would have celebrated 63 years of marriage this year.

Billy Fred and Betty raised their kids in the family home place in Hornsby Bend where he farmed with his Uncle Buddy and Uncle Monie, ranched, sold real estate, and even delivered the mail part-time. He was an integral part of the community, serving as a member of the school boards of the Hornsby-Dunlap and Del Valle ISDs, and both as a deacon and elder at Faith Presbyterian Church. He served as a director of the Travis County Farm Bureau, a director of the Central Texas Production Credit Association, and in his favorite capacity, as a director of the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, where he has bestowed the honor of Director Emeritus in 2012. Because of his real estate knowledge and experience, he even served in a difficult capacity as a member of the Travis County Tax Appraisal Review Board.

Billy Fred and Betty were second parents and grandparents to many of their children’s and grandchildren’s friends. Their door was always open to their bonus kids, and they never knew who or how many would be showing up at the dinner table. There were no strangers to Billy Fred, only friends he hadn’t met yet.

Although he loved it when some of his grandchildren became the eighth generation to live on the land of their ancestors, when the City of Austin began encroaching on the family farm in 2000, Billy Fred and Betty packed up and began a new chapter in the community of Delhi where they continued community service by becoming involved in the Delhi Volunteer Fire Department and Delhi Community Center where Billy Fred made many new beloved friends.

Billy Fred was the most generous and giving man - sometimes to a fault. If someone was in need, no matter the need, he gave whatever he had. If someone was in trouble and needed help, it didn’t matter when or where, Billy Fred was the one they called. His heart was huge and carried the load for many people during his 85 years. Sadly, his heart ultimately wore out and he left us for the happy hunting grounds where the grass stays green, the breeze is cool, the aim is true, and he is free of the pain he’s had for so many years.

Billy Fred is survived by his wife Betty and their three children - daughter Brenda Veasey, daughter Ruth Stark and her husband Neal, and son Steve and his wife Kim. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren Karl Veasey, Jessica Wade (Tom), Will Veasey (Gina), Justin Platt (Kari), Jannah Hooper (Nate), and Jordyn Aufdengarten (Gerry), Karsyn Stark, and Sarah Stark. He was the very proud great-grandfather to Charlotte, Tyler, Lily, Logan, Emily, Hayes, Brinley, Dawson, and Levi. Brother John Platt, his wife Jackie, nephew Jason and his wife Tracie, their daughter Jamie and granddaughter Lily also survive him. Billy Fred loved his in-laws like they were his own and he will be greatly missed by Betty’s siblings, their spouses, and children as well.

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 5 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cook-Walden, North Lamar location. A celebration of Billy Fred’s life will be held on Monday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home followed by a private burial at Hornsby Cemetery. The service will also be live-streamed. For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, please give to the Hornsby Cemetery Association, the Delhi Volunteer Fire Department, or the Delhi Community Center.

If you knew Billy Fred, you know he hated to dress up, especially in the heat of the summer. If you are coming to tell him goodbye, please dress casually and comfortably.