Billy (Bill) Earl Heard, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Palmer, Texas, on Friday, August 2, 2024.

He was born in Palmer on January 31, 1942, to Robert Lee Heard and Irene Moon Heard. He was the youngest of five children and the last surviving member of his generation in his family.

He grew up in Palmer and attended Palmer schools, graduating from Palmer High School in 1960.  He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Palmer. He played baseball and basketball in high school and worked at Jack Oates Gas Station as a fill-up attendant. He was known as 'Red Heard' for his flaming red hair. He helped with the family farm raising cotton and went to work full time at Sears and Roebuck in Dallas after high school.

Bill met his wife Ella Betik at a New Year's Eve dance at Sokol Hall in Ennis, Texas, Dec. 31, 1960.  They married on December 2, 1963.  Bill and Ella settled at the Heard Family home place in 1964. They built their forever home in 1977 with their own labor and the help of family and friends.  Bill, or Uncle Billy as he was called, loved his Czech family and enjoyed the company of his brother and sister-in-laws, nephews and nieces and the countless number of family parties.

He was known for owning fast 'muscle' cars and he enjoyed working on cars as a hobby and craft.  He drove Fords his entire life, a legacy from his father. He loved a good car race and he never backed down to a contender on the road if he could get away with it.

Bill graduated from El Centro College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in December, 1971.  He took the first classes offered in computer science and began a career in computer programming. His professional career in the 1970s took him to the Middle East working in Tehran, Iran, for Bell Helicopter. His career continued with Levi Strauss, Baylor Health Care Systems and Alcatel.  He retired in 2001.

Bill found peace, freedom and camaraderie in riding motorcycles. This hobby grew and he established the Lost Daltons. He bonded with his 2000 Harley Davidson Springer and he rode for over 10 years across the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Black Hills to Sturgis, South Dakota, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Rocky Mountains. The motorcycle runs in the hill country of Texas were his favorite.

Bill would ride as much as he could until he couldn't ride much anymore. He just slowed down and started to 'Go Easy'.  His health declined over the past three years.  He remained at home and Ella cared for him until his last day.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ella.  His daughter Shellie and her husband Jason Hollingsworth.  His son David and his wife Teddi Heard.  His four grandchildren Leanna Hollingsworth and husband Danny Dyke, Julia Hollingsworth, Emilie Hollingsworth, Hayden Heard, and his great-granddaughter Stella Irene Lopez.  Also, survived by sister-in-law Evelyn Slovak and brother-in-laws Wesley Betik and Bobby Betik, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Billy's life will take place Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the J. E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Palmer, officiated by his friend John Schumacher..

A private graveside service will be held at a later date under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.