Billy Ray Skains, age 77, of Houston, Texas passed away June 17, 2023 surrounded in love by his family. A funeral service celebrating his life was held 10 A.M., Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Neil Davis officiated the service, and interment followed in Hopewell Cemetery outside of Normangee, Texas.

Billy Ray Skains was born December 14, 1945 in Normangee, Texas, the son of Allen Curtis & Maggie Seale (Rogers) Skains. He was raised in Normangee and attended Sam Houston State University for a brief time before moving to Houston, Texas. There Billy Ray entered into the workforce for Dow Chemicals, then on to Southwest Fabricating and Welding and retiring from Brown Fintube/Koch Industries all in supervisory positions.

Billy Ray was a 'workhorse.' Not many things outside of work interested him except the dream of one day returning to the family land in Normangee and becoming a full time rancher. Although Billy Ray was unable to do so, he enjoyed the many times he was able to come and do lawn and ranch work for brief periods. One thing that remained a constant throughout Billy Ray's life was his faithful love for his family, especially his grandchildren. He adored both his children and grandchildren, but there was not a face that lit up more than Billy Ray's when he saw any of his adorable grandchildren. Billy Ray also enjoyed doing lawn work at his own home in Houston. He had been happily married to Martha Cutaia Skains since April 20, 1972 and was Baptist in faith.

Billy Ray was preceded in death by both of his parents; brother, Curtis Skains and an infant brother.

Surviving family members include wife of fifty-one years, Martha Skains of Houston; children, Kelli Skains Peters (Roger) of Hockley, Karen Skains Meador (Dave) of Hockley, Charlie Joseph (Stefanie) of Houston and Billy Joe Skains (Angela) of Huntsville; grandchildren, Amber, Lauren, Kirsten, Christopher, Kaitlyn, Megan and Cody and great-grandchildren, Kayden and J.D., as well as numerous extended family and friends.

Pallbearers: Christopher Joseph, Cody Skains, Bob Clinton, Noble Windsor, Joe Skains, Robert Teague, Marc Meeker Arrangements were under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.