Billy Ray Keys

Funeral services for Billy Ray Keys will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Greater Mount Zion Church in Brazoria with Elder Roland K. Hendricks officiating and Pastor L. C. Dews eulogizing.  Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

Billy Keys was born August 23, 1954 to Allie and Savannah Keys in Rosharon, Texas. He grew up on his family farm developing a love for the growth of all living things.

He attended Marshall High School and later, after integration, Angleton High School.  He was a member of the Future Farmers of America, which nurtured his love for farm life.  He often showed animals in the Brazoria County Fair and the Houston Livestock Show. After graduation he attended Brazosport College.   He was employed by Kelly Services, Dow Chemical, and finally self-employed on Keys Farm in Rosharon.

Billy accepted Christ at an early age joining Bethelder Baptist Church.  In 1986, he became a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the later Rev. G.W. Singleton and continued to serve under the leadership of Rev. L.C. Dews.  He was devoted member until illness.  He served as a Deacon, a Trustee, Vice President of Youth-In-Action and The Male Chorus, a Benevolent Committee Member, and an avid student of Sunday school. He loved God and openly shared testimony after testimony of the His goodness.

Billy married Catherine Keys in 1976.  Their union was blessed with three children: Marcus, Brian, and Kimberli.

One of his outstanding gifts was giving.  He shared everything he had; fish, vegetables, and money.  He constantly sought to aide others and worked tirelessly raising money for the St. Paul Walkathon.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Allie and Savannah Keys, brother Allie Keys, Jr., and sister Sarah Keys-Taylor.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 47 years, Catherine; children: Marcus (Jamaica), Brian (Shavone), and Kimberli Keys Hutchins (Brandon); three beloved grandchildren; Arden Hutchins, Bradon Hutchins, and Kingston Keys; sisters: Verna Keys and Brenda Randall (Charles); Brother-in-laws: Rev. Jeremiah Woodard (Mary), Larry Woodard (Karen); Sister-in-laws: Frankie Keys, Sarah Rice (Rev. Edgar), Mary Pierce, Lizz Bates (Rev. Alvin), and Elnora Jefferson (Ricky, Sr); play-sister, Evelyn Austin, special cousin, Willie Campbell, and a host of special nieces and nephews and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Steven Chatman, Vannon Chatman, Eric Jefferson, Ricky Jefferson, Jr., Edgar Rice V, Robert Williams, Sr., Cedric Woodard, and John Wright.

There will be a Visitation at Dixon Funeral Home on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and a Wake will follow from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be livestreamed on Dixon Funeral Home Facebook page. www.facebook.com/DixonFuneralTX.

Final arrangements entrusted to Dixon Funeral Home of Angleton 979-849-8800.

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