Billy Shannon

A proud member of the 82nd Airborne and former Golden Gloves Champion boxer, Billy Ray Shannon, 86, was a fighter until the end. He quietly passed away surrounded by his devoted wife and children on June 16, 2025, and was immediately greeted in heaven by his loving parents, Minnie and Glen, and adoring sisters, Glenda, Johnnie Caroline and Betty.

Billy Ray was born at home in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 6, 1938, and was a very proud 1957 graduate of Polytechnic High School, where he was a standout track and football athlete, voted senior class president and class favorite. It was there that his high school principal imparted on him the motto he would adopt for his life: “Remember who you are and where you’re from.”

After completing high school, he hitchhiked to classes at Arlington State College, where he majored in Radio & Television Production, developed admirable skills as a gifted artist, enjoyed acting, and fell in love with the sport of boxing – later becoming a light middle weight champion.

Billy Ray began what would become his life’s work as a railroad conductor in 1961; he retired in February 2001 from Union Pacific railroad after 40 years of service to the industry.

Billy Ray was drafted to the United States Army in 1962 and was honored to serve as a paratrooper until 1964. Following his service, he returned to Fort Worth, and in 1968 reconnected with longtime family friend Georgia Noll. The two were married on February 15, 1969.

The years that followed as a supportive father and doting grandfather were what Billy Ray described as, “the highlight of my life.”

Billy Ray is survived by wife Georgia, son Troy Shannon (Jennifer), daughter Traci Cassas (Kyle), daughter Trana Pittam, granddaughters Allison, Kate (Trenton), Faith, Josselyn and Elise, grandson Clint, sister Anita Morrow as well as nieces, nephews, and a special cat – Harvey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to Lucky Pup Rescue, a 501c3 non-profit, foster-based dog rescue in Greenville, SC (luckypuprescuesc.com).

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Martin’s Funeral Home, Granbury, Texas from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

Service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Martin’s Funeral Home, Granbury, Texas beginning at 11:00 AM.

A private burial will be held at DFW National Cemetery.

Services under the care of Martin’s Funeral Home, Granbury, Texas.