William Richard Carr

William Richard Carr was born on September 12, 1936 in Houston, Texas to Henrietta Teel and John Ellis Carr and passed away on June 5, 2024, at the age of 87. He was predeceased by his two brothers. He grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, graduated from WB Ray High School and was a member of First Baptist Church. He went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a degree in Geology and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He then earned his JD from UT School of Law and also became a certified landman and real estate broker. He also served in the Air Force Reserves. After initially practicing law and working in the oil and gas industry for Southern Minerals, he eventually began full time cattle ranching.

After an initial series of land purchases with his parents and brothers, by the early 1970s he had become the sole owner of 12,000 acres in Webb County, Texas and began breeding Beefmaster cattle. He eventually acquired two additional ranches in Wilson and Kendall Counties for a total of 14,500 acres and continued to breed Beefmaster cattle on all three ranches.

He was passionate about Beefmaster cattle and has served the Beefmaster Breeder United organization in numerous ways, including as President and chairing various committees.

He received the prestigious Breeder of the Year award a record two times, in 1993 and again in 2021, as well as the BBU Environmental Award, BBU Performance Award, Live Oak Legend Award, JBBA Helping Hand Award and along with his wife Dusty, was inducted into the BBU Hall of Fame in 1996.

In addition to cattle ranching he enjoyed his annual hunt with many dear lifelong friends, cooking a perfect beef tenderloin on a mesquite grill and watching the Dallas Cowboys.

He recently said “I have been raising cattle and acquiring and improving land solely to raise cattle for 70 years. I will be continuing to do so as long as I can pull my boots on each day.” And that he did.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Edith Joyce “Dusty” Carr and two children, Kirk Andrew Carr, of Pleasanton, Texas, and Courtney Carr Baxter (Todd) as well as three grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth Baxter, Kate Teel Baxter and Tessa Autrey Baxter, all of Austin, Texas.

A memorial service will be held on June 21, 2024 at 2:00pm at the Carr Sales Facility near Floresville, Texas (6720 TX-97, Floresville, TX)

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the South Texas Children’s Home, PO Box 1210 Beeville, Texas 78104, or a charity of your choice.