West cowboy inducted into TRCHF

By JULIET BRISKIN | Staff writer

Billy Willis of West is inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. - Photo by Juliet Briskin

October 16, 2003 -- Long before there was a professional association, computerized scoring systems and celebrity cowboys, young boys were climbing on the backs of bulls for their shot at eight seconds of glory. Billy Willis was no exception and his career as a bull rider and rodeo clown has recently earned him a spot in the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame (TRCHF).

Born and raised in West, Willis began his rodeo career in 1956 when he was just 18 and he spent close to 20 years traveling, competing and performing in rodeos across Texas and the United States. "We traveled just about everywhere," stated Willis. "After the PRCA started up we were all over Texas and went as far north as you could ... without going into Canada."

According to Willis, times have changed for the rodeo cowboy. "Now you have the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), you've got some sponsors and some money in it; it's just a whole lot better now," he said. "Used to we were considered kind of low class if we rodeoed because you were supposed to have a 'real' job. Now days, you're a hero."

Willis started his rodeo career by working stock for an operation out of La Grange that put on most of the local rodeos in South Texas. During this time he and his brother Dan began building a reputation for themselves with their clown act and bullfighting. That led to riding bulls in competition and in 1959 he returned home to West and took first place in bull riding at the West Rodeo.

For many years Willis competed in bull riding and performed as a clown in the same rodeo. "I had to ride with my clown face on a lot," he said. "You didn't have time to change."

In 1968 he married Delfa and a couple years later they purchased what is now known as Willis' Country Store in Ross. The store serves as a local gathering place where Willis and his wife serve up burgers and cold beer, and sell everything from sodas to bread.

"Delfa traveled with me for a couple years," said Willis. "Then in 1972 our son Tom was born. By the time he was 6-months-old he had been to 17 states and had been on two airplane trips."

Willis retired from the rodeo in 1974, but continues to keep in touch with his old friends. Once a year he and Delfa host a cowboy reunion at Willis Country Store and, according to Willis, the event this year brought together over 80 cowboys. "We all get together and have a fish fry here," he said. "We reminisce about the old times, eat, drink and just have a great time. There were a couple guys here this year that are in their 80s now. "

In addition to hosting the cowboy reunion each year, Willis attends the annual clown reunion. "The reunion is usually in July and next year the it will be in Stephenville," he said. "Last year it was in Deadwood, South

Dakota and boy did we have a good time!"

Willis was one of over 60 people nominated for the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame for 2004 and the induction ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 14, 2004, in Temple.

"I thought it was an honor just to be nominated," stated Willis. "Then I found out I was voted into the Hall of Fame back in July and it was a real good feeling," he said.

According to the TRCHF newsletter, the 16 inductees are individuals that have excelled and specialized in their field of rodeo. Each inductee is being honored for their courage, sacrifice, determination, skill and dedication.