He was born on July 25, 1941 to Monroe and Hattie (Vacek) Krenek in Rosenberg, Texas. He moved to Garwood when he was 2 years old.

Billy Ray graduated from Garwood High School in 1959. He attended Wharton Co. Jr. College and Sam Houston State University, graduating in 1963.

He served in the U.S. Army for 2 years during the Vietnam War. Billy Ray married his college sweetheart, Sue Burlin on November 19, 1967. He worked for El Seven Ranch in Garwood for 28 years as manager and then President.

Billy Ray was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada. He was a long-time member of Garwood Lions Club and a lifetime member of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Horspitality and Go-Texan Committees. He was a founding member of the Colorado County Ag-Complex Board. He served as a director of A.R.I. for 3 years. Billy Ray was also an Honorary Chapter Farmer and State Farmer of the Rice Consolidated High School FFA. He also served on the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group.

Billy Ray loved to mule deer hunt in the mountains of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Van Horn, Texas. He enjoyed skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado every year. He also loved to dance and enjoyed country music.

He is preceded in death by his parents Monroe and Hattie Krenek; inlaws Newton and Mary Oliver Burlin; brothersin- law Curtis and Morris Burlin; special friends Bobby Hunt, Jim Rees, Dr. Robert Potter, and W.N. Lehrer.

Billy Ray is survived by his wife Sue Krenek; sons Todd Krenek (Heather Morton) and Clint “Shorty” Krenek (Sher); grandsons Ruston Krenek, Riley Gott (Jessie), and Clayton Watz (Courtney); great granddaughters Elenor and Maycee Watz.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM at the Nada Community Center in Nada, Texas. Stan Warfield will be officiating. A reception and meal will follow after the service.

Honorary pallbearers are George Williams, Terry Warren, Henry Beken, Huck Cranek, Bouncie Cerny, Mark Wied, Randy Waligura, Chad Waligura, Billy Hefner, and Madison Smith.

Special thanks to Arbor Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Eagle Lake and all of their staff for the great care they gave him the past five months and to Choice Hospice and Kim Wishert for their special care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Garwood Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 131, Garwood, TX 77442. Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.