Billy Ray Means was born on December 12, 1940, in Springfield, CO
to Harold Means and Alene (Robinson) Means. He was the oldest of three
children, with two sisters, Sherri (Means) Strouse, and Candice (Candi
Means) Johnson.
When he was a young boy, his family lived in Flagler, CO.  He
enjoyed life on the farm with his parents, sisters, and cousins. His family
later moved to Colorado Springs, CO, where his father had bought a ranch.
He attended later elementary and middle school at Falcon School.
Eventually the family moved back to Springfield, CO where he completed
his school days in 1959.  After high school he moved to Creede, CO
working on a ranch as a ranch hand and an outfitter guide for tourists on
hunting and fishing expeditions. While working in Creede, Bill met Gia, and
they welcomed a son, Billy Ray Means Jr. 1963.
In 1965 Bill was drafted by the US Army where he reported to Fort
Leonard Wood, MO. for his basic combat training, and Fort Sill, OK for his
AIT.  He then reported to Hawaii for his helicopter gunnery training, training
maneuvers in the jungle environment (a big change for a Baca County boy),
and radar operations. Bill served in Vietnam until 1967 as a Radar
Specialist for locating and returning enemy fire, and was a helicopter door
gunner during transport. He achieved many awards while he served his
country, including S. Vietnamese Meritorious Service medal; Good
Conduct Medal; Vietnamese Combat ribbon; U.S. Army Meritorious
Service Medal; and the Bronze Star with two clusters of Valor.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge papers, he returned to Springfield
and worked for his Uncle Russel Robinson drilling water wells in the area.
During this time in Springfield, Bill met Janice Reeder and soon fell in
love. Bill and Janice were wed in 1969 and welcomed their eldest daughter,
Marla Kay when they moved back to Creede for a short time. From there
they moved to Sterling, CO.  It was in Sterling that he started his full time
career in the livestock industry at a sale barn and a feedyard where he was
introduced to Livestock Inspection. Bill started as Brand Inspector for the
state of Colorado in Sterling in 1969. He worked in Sterling until 1976 when
the Baca County position came available after the long time Inspector had
retired, moving the family back to Springfield.
In 1978, Bill and Janice welcomed their youngest daughter, Kaylea
Ann. Bill and Janice remained in Baca County for the rest of their lives,
raising their girls and watching their girls raise their families in Baca County
as well.
During his time as brand inspector Bill was also a member of the
Baca County sheriff's posse. He loved serving alongside his good friends in
the Posse, and he and Sheriff Willard Goff had many adventures
"Rustler-Bustin'". They even traveled together teaching classes in
Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma training other law
enforcement agencies how to look for, investigate, and remediate livestock
theft across state lines. After 35 years of brand inspecting, Bill retired in
2006.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his greatest pastime was
watching his grandkids. Attending many ball games, wrestling matches,
and graduations, he and Janice were on the sidelines cheering for their
family and friends for over four decades. You could also find him at the
café, having coffee with his friends and catching up on the local "news". His
last few years he spent caring for Janice, and taking on the household
duties.  His patience and loving care brought her such happiness and
comfort in her final years, and was an inspiration to anyone who witnessed
it.
They were only separated from each other for 79 days. After a
surgery and short illness, Bill passed away in Amarillo, TX on February 17,
2025 surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren. Bill is preceded in
death by his wife, Janice Means, his parents, Harold and Nellie Means,
B.C. (Jr.) and Alene Dapron, his sisters Candi Johnson, and Sherri Strouse,
brother in-law Jim Strouse his in-laws, Bill and Vi Reeder and brother-in-law
Billy Reeder.
He is survived by his children Billy (Kristen) Means of Creede, Co,
Marla (Doug) Seemann, Kaylea (Chris) McCall, both of Walsh, Co, 9
grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild on the way.
He loved our small community, his family, and was a good friend to
anyone.