Billy Morgan Windham was born on January 25, 1927 in Brown County, Texas to Fred Morgan and Ruby Mae (Drinkard) Windham.
The Windham family was early settlers in Brown County. Billy’s great-great-grandfather, Dr. John Darby Windham and wife, Fanny Monteith Windham along with his great-grandfather, Samuel Robert Windham, and other Windham children arrived in 1865, locating about 18 miles north of Brownwood near Byrd’s Store. Samuel had recently returned from serving as a Confederate soldier in New Mexico. Dr. Windham was one of the frontier physicians who served the people of a large area for a number of years. The David Baugh family was already settled in the same area, having moved by wagon train in 1858. About 1871, Samuel Windham married Amazon Baugh and together they raised a large family. Both the Windham and Baugh families became large landowners and were prominent cattle raisers. The Windhams donated land for the school, church and the Windham Cemetery.
Billy and his sisters, Betty and Gladys, were raised in norther Brown County; Billy attended the Williams school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945 and spent some time overseas. Billy brought home a bride from Japan, Naoko Matsuura. The couple lived in Brownwood where two sons were born, John and Phillip. In 1964, Naoko passed away from lung cancer. Soon after, Billy and the boys moved to Austin.
In the early 1980’s, Billy returned home to Brownwood and once again lived on the Pecan Bayou, where his ancestors settled many years prior. While visiting his mother in a Brownwood nursing home, he met nurse, Ilene Ellis. They became close friends and companions until her death in 2011. After Ilene had a serious stroke in 1993, Billy took such tender care of her and worked tirelessly to tend to all her needs.
Billy moved to Nacogdoches, Texas a few years ago to be near his son, John. It was there that he passed away on April 25, 2019.
Graveside services were held on Saturday, April 27 at May Cemetery, May Texas.
Survivors include sons, John & wife Geri and Phillip & wife Rita; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; and sister, Gladys Hellman. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and sister, Betty Hounshell.