Billy Fisher

Billy Fisher was born on the Fisher Ranch located near Utopia on April 24, 1923, to Sterling and Grace Buckner Fisher. He died Sept. 11, 2019, at the Uvalde Healthcare and Rehabilitation at the age of 96.

Funeral services will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Utopia United Methodist Church.

Fisher spent his life ranching, raising and training Quarter horses, and selling real estate. He was a strong supporter of youth activities including 4-H and junior rodeos. He was a popular announcer for youth rodeos during the 1960s and traveled with his girls to several National Finals Rodeos across the western United States. He served as president of the Utopia Park Board for many years and helped keep the Utopia Rodeo tradition alive.

Fisher provided leadership for the Alamo Quarter Horse Association in San Antonio and served as president of that organization in 1969. His love of horses and riding led him to his retirement vocation as owner and operator of the Wagon Wheel Stables on Spring Branch Creek in Utopia where people came from all around the world to ride a horse and see a real Texas Cowboy.

The riders loved Fisher’s commentary and friendly manner. If they had ridden previously, chances are he would remember their names. The stable was featured in numerous publications including the New York Times travel section.

Fisher supported and encouraged many young people throughout his lifetime in addition to his own children, step-children and grandchildren. His optimistic spirit and can-do attitude served to help every young person in his circle strive to do his or her best. He helped numerous young boys and girls learn to ride and rope at the Fisher Ranch arena where many gathered on Sunday afternoons.

He is survived by his daughters, Diane Causey, Joan Clark and husband, Tony, Kathleen Lewis and husband, Butch, and Betty Boyce and husband, Wayne, all of Utopia; Alice LeMond, mother of his children; and step-son Patrick Larkin.

His son Billy Sterling Fisher preceded him in death, as did his granddaughter Mary Fisher Sutherland and his sisters, Marjorie Fisher Langford and Betty Fisher Leighton.

Grandchildren include Lauren Oefinger, Tana (Wyatt) McBride, Travis (Noa) Sutherland, Wes (Annette) Sutherland, Dr. Whitney Boyce (Geoff) Scotty, Laura (Austin) Ketenbrink, Allison Fisher, Sterlin (Berkley) Boyce, and Toni (Tony) Cantu, and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests gifts in memory of Billy be made to Utopia Park Assn., PO Box 161, Utopia, TX 78884 or Scholarship Fund at Utopia United Methodist Church, PO Box 388, Utopia, TX 78884.