Billy Jack Carter

Billy Jack Carter, a long-time resident of Haskell and Snyder, Texas and a resident of Amarillo for the past 10 years, passed away on December 4, 2023, at the age of 80.  In his passing days, he was surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.

Viewing will be from 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2023, and from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo.

Visitation with the family will follow the celebration of life service which begins at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, December 7, 2023, in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo.

He was born on August 16, 1943, to William Raymond Carter and Edna Elfrieda (“Frieda”) Custer Carter in Haskell, Texas.  Billy Jack grew up with his four sisters, Mary Lee, Sally Jean, Bobbie, and Deann.  He is preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Bobbie.

On October 22, 1965, he married Sarah Kaye Baitz.  A few years later their beloved son, Michael, was born.  Billy Jack and Sarah raised Michael in Snyder, Texas where Billy Jack worked as the parts manager at Wilson Motors for almost 50 years.

For over 50 years Billy Jack vowed that he would never live anywhere other than Snyder, but within a month of the birth of his first grandchild, Abbey, he gladly ate those words, promptly retired, and moved to what he described as “the coldest place on Earth” – Amarillo, Texas.  Three years later he met his match – the birth of a second granddaughter, Molly.  She was his match through and through.  Tough.  Funny.  Energetic and smart as a whip.  His granddaughters ultimately made Amarillo his warmest place on Earth.

The lake was such a special place for the Carter family.  Billy Jack and Sarah had a home on Lake Brownwood for approximately 33 years.  The family spent every spare moment making never-to-forget memories either working on projects, playing games, or just having fun on the water.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Kaye Carter, his son, Billy Michael Carter and wife, D’Layne Carter, by his two granddaughters, Abbey Layne and Molly Kaye Carter, by his three sisters, Mary Lee Sorrells, Sally Jean Medford, Deann Carter all of Abilene, and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends all of whom will miss him dearly.

The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses at Hillside Heights for their daily, loving care as well as Kinder Heart Hospice for their gracious work during Billy Jack’s last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org or to a charity of the donor’s choice.