Billy Winkelmann was born in 1944, the eldest of four children, in Bellville, Texas, and passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024, surrounded by family. His love of the outdoors manifested early and he once aspired to be a forest ranger. His favorite summertime activity was helping out his uncles on their farms. He enjoyed board and video games, and was an avid stamp collector. During his adult life he became a leather craftsman and made many beautiful and functional works of art. In 2015 he celebrated his retirement from the oil industry after a long and fruitful career. He married the love of his life, Pam, in 1964 and theirs was a deep and abiding love that lasted until her passing in 2021.
He is preceded in death by his parents Willie and Alita Winkelmann, sister Joyce Ann Winkelmann, brother Kirby Winkelmann, and his wife of 57 years Pam. He is survived by his brother Kevin Winkelmann and wife Lisa, sister-in-law Debra Winkelmann, son Brian Winkelmann and wife Dawn Marsalis; grand-daughter Alasen Hogan, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
