Obituary of William "Billy" Blair

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Billy Blair, 73, of Fort Worth, TX, passed away on April 23, 2026, passing on the spark of his light to all who
love him.

Billy was born on March 19, 1953, in Belton, TX to Glenn and Jeannine Blair. He graduated from Belton
High School in 1971, where he played golf and football. He attended Stephen F. Austin to study forestry,
later earning a degree in Religion with a minor in Sociology from Baylor University. Billy spent his career in
service of children, youth, and learning. He worked as a youth minister at churches in Belton, Temple, Waco,
and Fort Worth, including Broadway Baptist Church, before dedicating much of his professional career in
service of the children of Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home. In recent years, he enjoyed working with his
friends at Tarrant County College South Campus Library. Billy faithfully and joyfully served through many
volunteer roles at Broadway Baptist Church over the years, including teaching Sunday School for high
schoolers and Club 56.

A lover of history, stories, and all things beautiful, Billy found great joy in family history and photography. He
loved recording family stories, including helping his grandmother Pearl Digby write her book Rambling
Reflections; taking photos of nature and art; curating his collections of soil samples and fossils; and
remembering backpacking and camping adventures with friends and family. His final photos highlighted the
beauty of the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and are dearly cherished. Billy always looked forward to sitting
down to read his Bible and the latest copy of National Geographic in the large green armchair passed down
from his grandmother or the sturdy wooden desk from his father.

Billy is survived and will be missed by his wife of 50 years and high school sweetheart, Susan Blair;
daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Seth Hickman; son and daughter-in-law, Will and Erica Blair;
grandchildren Ellie Pearl Hickman, Wyatt Scott Blair, Liam Ray Blair, Sawyer Reed Blair, Grady Lee Blair,
Callan McCall Blair, and Rowan Glenn Blair due in June. He will also be missed by his sister, siblings-in-law,
and brother: Jeannie and Lee Pittman, Lou Blair, JB Farris, and Brian Blair; uncle and aunts: Dwayne and Jo
Ann Digby, Gale Cosper, and Rita Locklin; many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews; and a host of dear
friends. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Glenn and Jeannine Blair; brother Bob Blair;
sister Mary Farris, aunt Mattie Wesson, and uncle Aubrey Blair.

Memorial service will be held at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX on May 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Ryon Price officiating. Reception will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to the Community Ministries of Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W.
Broadway, Fort Worth, TX 76104 or a charity of your choice.