Billy Joe Bryson

July 22, 1934 - December 18, 2016

Billy Joe Bryson, of Pilot Point, TX, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016 at the age of 82. Born July 22, 1934 to Lowell and Gladys Bryson in McKinney, TX, Billy Joe grew up in Allen, TX and graduated from Allen High School in 1952. Billy Joe's farming roots spurred a lifelong love for horses and cattle, finding him active in the Allen 4H program. He started showing cattle and training horses at a young age, earning him many 4H awards and accolades. This passion for livestock and the drive to win carried with Billy Joe into his adult life, and remained steadfast in all that he did. Billy Joe married Betty Dee Dillard Bryson in 1961 where they resided in Frisco, TX, and later moved to Pilot Point, TX. They had 3 children; daughter Andrea Bryson Larson, husband, Craig Larson, of Pilot Point, TX, daughter Pamela Bryson Steckler, husband, Eddie Steckler, of Pilot Point, TX, and son, William Matthew Bryson, wife, Jennifer Bryson, of Forestburg, TX. Billy Joe has 9 grandchildren; Katie Steckler Fleming, Meredith Larson, Sarah Steckler, Britt Larson, Natalie Larson, Jolie Bryson, Jaycee Bryson, Stockton Bryson, Sutton Bryson, and 2 great-grandchildren, Lexi and Jack. Billy Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings; L.B. Bryson, Harold Edward Bryson, Melba Bryson Baxter and Barbara Bryson Young. He is survived by his brothers Bud Bryson, wife, Sue, of Prosper, TX, Jerry Bryson, wife, Barbara, of Collinsville, TX, Charlie Bryson, wife, Sheryl, of Ardmore, OK, and his sister Helen Bryson of Plano, TX.Upon graduating from high school, Billy Joe worked at many well-known ranches in the North TX area, including The Flying M, The Cross F, both of McKinney, The Simpson Ranch of Frisco and then settling at The Phillips Ranch, where he managed the ranch for B.F. Phillips, Jr. for several years. In the 1970's, Billy Joe started breeding horses with his father-in-law, Jack Dillard, and went to work as a District Sales Rep with MoorMan's Feed for 21 years. At the height of his operation in the 1990's, Billy Joe bred more than 30 mares a year and stood three of his own stallions, the most notably being Invisible Injun. Invisible Injun won the 1994 Texas Classic Derby and also set a track record. Other notable winners consist of Cash Balance, Dashin Ladybug, Six on the Beach, Hallelujah Train, Injuns Plastic Cash, and Fabulous Figure, who ran in the 1988 All American Futurity. In 2004, the horse Run and Pray, sired by Invisible Injun, was the AQHA racing champion distance horse. Aside from breeding race horse winners, Billy Joe was also proud of raising a few good roping and barrel-racing horses that have competed well in the competition circuits. Billy Joe was honored to stand up at the 2013 AQHA Hall of Fame to receive the association's distinguished 50 Cumulative Years of Breeding Award. Billy Joe Bryson loved his family, ranching life, the thrill of the racetrack, and the American Quarter Horse. He will be remembered as a man of integrity and strict work ethic.Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 5:30PM-7:30PM at Slay Memorial Chapel in Aubrey. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 2:00PM at Slay Memorial Chapel in Aubrey.  Interment will be at Belew Cemetery in Aubrey, TX.  Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.comMemorials may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX, 75219 and American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631. Services are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center. To send a flower arrangement to the family of Billy Joe Bryson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.