Danny Ray Billingsley

Danny Ray Billingsley, age 78, passed away on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, surrounded by love, after a valiant fight with cancer. Danny’s life was devoted to family and service. Born on June 21st, 1946, in Lufkin, Texas, Danny spent his early years in Lufkin, Crockett, and Huntsville. A proud graduate of Huntsville High School, he was an athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and track. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with distinction as a diesel engine mechanic. His service earned him awards and recognition and ignited a lifelong commitment to protecting and serving others. After returning home, Danny earned a Criminal Justice degree from Sam Houston State University and moved to San Antonio as a federal law enforcement officer. Although he worked briefly at Billingsley Parts & Equipment, his family's business in Huntsville, it was law enforcement where he found his true calling. Over the course of nearly four decades, Danny served communities across Harris and Walker counties—as a patrol officer, undercover investigator, narcotics detective, training officer, and homicide lieutenant. His exceptional leadership and dedication culminated in his role as Chief Deputy of Harris County, the third-largest county in the nation. Even after retiring, Danny continued to serve. He volunteered for a yearlong deployment to Iraq as part of a Military Transition Team (MiTT), advising and training Iraqi forces alongside U.S. Army soldiers—a role for which he was uniquely equipped thanks to his vast experience and steadfast courage. Danny was so well-respected as an accomplished and effective detective, not only did he return to law enforcement as a detective in Walker County but also volunteered to review cold cases for communities across Texas. He appeared on many television programs where he spoke about the cold cases that he was an active investigator in. Furthermore, Danny was a visiting instructor in the Criminal Justice Department at Sam Houston State University, demonstrating his enduring commitment to public safety and mentorship. Danny embodied the spirit of a true cowboy. He generously gave his time as a volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Walker County Fair Association, where he made a lasting impact on countless young people by sponsoring their livestock projects. His love for the cowboy life extended far beyond Texas—he spent multiple summers on cattle drives in Montana, savoring the wide-open skies and the camaraderie that came with the trail. He eventually retired to Lovelady, Texas where he and his wife Paula enjoyed 92 acres of beautiful land and built a custom home with a barn, pond, horses, goats, chickens, cats and dogs. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, and spending time on the porch enjoying the view and all of his blessings. He loved spending time with his grandsons and teaching them how to shoot, hunt, fish, and ride horses. He handed down years of wisdom with the special times they spent together. Danny was a man of strong faith who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. In later years, he embraced Catholicism and found a spiritual home in his parish in Crockett, where he treasured his priest and the fellowship of his church family. Family was central to Danny’s life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Paula Billingsley; stepdaughter, Tiffany W. Blackmon and her husband Heath Blackmon; and six step-grandsons, Austin, Hunter, Ryder, Ryan, Jordan, and Blake. He also leaves behind his elder brother, Don Billingsley; sister, Lynda B. Powell; and nieces and nephews, March Pratt, Lieutenant Colonel Trenton Powell, Toby Powell, Timothy Powell, M.D., Baker Billingsley, and Emma Billingsley. He was preceded in death by his parents, L.B. Billingsley and Ragna L. Billingsley, and his nephew, Brandon Billingsley. Danny was known to all as an extremely intelligent and capable man who would do anything for anyone, at any hour. He was generous, warm, and full of life. Whether riding horses, refereeing Huntsville Hornets football games, deer hunting with friends, nephews, and grandsons, fishing with grandkids, or telling stories around the fire, Danny brought light and laughter wherever he went. He was a husband, stepdad, papa, pawpaw, son, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor—a rare and remarkable soul who lived fully and gave freely. Danny has been delivered from the pain of this world and now lives eternally with his Savior, Jesus Christ. His family and friends rejoice in his salvation even as they mourn his passing. His legacy of service, courage, and love will live on in the many lives he touched. The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis of the Tejas Catholic Church in Crockett, TX. Memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Danny Ray Billingsley

June 21, 1946 - June 14, 2025