Billy Joe Robinett

Billy Joe Robinett was born on August 22, 1931, in Santa Anna, Texas, the second son and fourth child of Dallas and Bera Robinett. He was born into new life in the presence of God on December 15, 2023, after having shared life on this earth for over 92 years. At that time of his birth, his father was a sharecropper, supporting his family by coaxing the dry earth to provide something of worth for his family. When you know nothing different, hard times are simply, "times", and you do what you have to do to meet them, improve them and overcome them. This was a recurring theme in his life. His formal schooling had ceased during his sophomore year in High School in Santa Anna, when he went to work to help support the family during a time when illness prevented his father from working. Again, when you know nothing different, hard times are simply "times." It was during this time that he began to discover and use a gift that he had, that enabled him to confront problems intuitively, educating himself in whatever skills or knowledge he needed in order to address the problems and the challenges he faced. Mr. Robinett used his skills to become an accomplished heavy equipment operator at an open pit quarry in Santa Anna, Texas. This enabled support a family and he married Paula Ruth Holt. Soon after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve during the Korean Conflict. Because of his skills, he was assigned to the 1903rd Aviation Engineers Battalion and was deployed to Korea, where he participated in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the airfields that served the U.S. Air force. Again, he continued to learn new skills and to build up the resume of experience which would serve him later in life. Upon his return to the United States, he continued to work on the "Mountain" in Santa Anna, and to gather knowledge, and to build his family, as he and Paula welcomed their son Jeff to the family. Two years later, Jodi, their daughter was born. Mr. Robinett's growing knowledge of the industry led being offered the job as Plant Manager at the San Saba Sand Quarry located near Voca, Texas in McCulloch County, and so the family relocated to Brady, Texas in 1959. It was in Brady that their son Joel was born. Using the same learning skills honed in his earlier life, Mr. Robinett became well known as an innovator, engineer, and as an astute manager of the people who worked for him. He shaped the lives of those just starting out on their journey of working, as well as challenging the most experienced of his crew to continue to develop their skills and to learn new ones. At one point in the 70's, the Plant, which was then owned by ITT and operated by Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corp, was the world's largest supplier of "Brady Brown" to the world's largest oil well service companies. He retired from the Sand Plant in 1983. After his first marriage ended he married Donna Rucker and continued to grow his family with the birth of Chris and Will in 1986. He continued to meet the challenges of life with the same energy and passion that had guided his path previously, eventually becoming City Judge in Brady and then Justice of the Peace in McCulloch County. As a judge he continued to use his skills and wisdom to mold and shape lives. He leaves a remarkable legacy. He is survived by his wife, Donna Robinett and by his six children and their spouses: Jeff & Vickie Robinett of Cedar Creek, Texas, Jodi & Paul Blanton, of Slaton, Texas, Joel & Christy Robinett of Lubbock, David & Teresa Cason of Brady, Chris & Morgan Robinett of Weatherford, TX, and Will & Katy Robinett of Weatherford. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. He is also survived by his dog, Buddy. He will be remembered for his wisdom, his wit, and his smile. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM January 6, 2024, at Heritage Funeral Home of Brady. Donations can be made to the Brady Animal Control, PO Box 351 Brady, Texas 76825.

Billy Joe Robinett

August 22, 1931 - December 15, 2023