Billie Ruth Hicks

Billie Ruth Outlaw Hicks passed away onTuesday, August 6, 2024, at the age of 93.

Billie was born in College Station, Texas to George Lee Outlaw and Norma Ruth Hill Outlaw on January 9, 1931. She attended A&M Consolidated High School, graduating in 1948. She was a Yell Leader, voted Senior Favorite, and served on the Round-Up Staff. She went on to attend business school and later met the love of her life, Willis Barron Hicks. They married in 1951.

The couple moved to Katy, Texas in 1952, where Willis was a partner in a liquid fertilizer business. Billie’s first job was editing and writing stories for the local paper, “The Brookshire Times.” She later joined the fertilizer business as office manager.

In 1968 she and Willis purchased a ranch in Brazos County and moved to Bryan after selling the fertilizer business in 1970 to pursue farming and ranching.

Billie and Willis shared a love of the Hill Country. They acquired a hunting lease in Junction, where they spent many hunting seasons and summer vacations along the Llano River. They later purchased their own piece of heaven on the Llano River, which they frequented often with family and friends.

Hosting friends and family was one of Billie’s greatest passions. She particularly loved spending Fourth of July with her loved ones on Lake Limestone. Christmas Eve was also a grand event for Billie. She would spend weeks upon weeks preparing for the night, which she would share her most cherished traditions with her loved ones.

Billie is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Willis Barron Hicks; parents, George Lee Outlaw and Norma Ruth Hill Outlaw; sister, Betty Outlaw McGarrahan; grandson, Lance Burch; and son-in-law, Sammy Catalena.

She is survived by brother George Outlaw and sister-in-law Joan; daughter Carolyn Catalena; daughter and son-in-law Jenny and Jimmy Paul Havens; son and daughter-in-law Jim and Becky Hicks; daughter and son-in-law Terry and Jeff Rowan, niece Barbara Birdwell and husband Kenneth as well as seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. and funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Bryan City Cemetery.