Billy Cate

Billy Cate, age 80, passed from this life on Monday, January 11, 2021 from complications of Covid-19. Billy was born August 29, 1940 to Harvey M. Cate, Sr. and Zelda Evans Cate in Grapevine and attended Birdville High School. Billy married the love of his life, Carolyn Hutson Matthews, on June 26, 1980.

Billy was gifted with a beautiful voice and had a love of music from a very early age. Billy built his career singing popular music, but later enjoyed performing western-style cowboy songs at festivals, private events and cowboy gatherings all over the southwest, and at the San Antonio Stock Show for several years. He was known professionally as “The Chisholm Trail Cowboy.” Gospel music was especially important because he liked to share his Christian faith and singing at his church was a great source of joy to him.

Billy had a love for history. Upon learning that he and Carolyn lived on the Chisholm Trail, he researched Texas history and marked the Chisholm Trail with concrete markers from San Antonio to the Red River, including through Johnson County.

Across the street from their home where they lived for 28 years, Billy created the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum. He was the creative mind and builder of the museum from its inception in 2000 until 2010, having cleared the land, built the “Welcome to Cleburne – On the Chisholm Trail” monument, moved the Wardville log courthouse to the site, sold metal sculptures of a silhouette cattle drive to fund the project, installed Indian tipis, and designed and supervised building of the stagecoach station and pavilion. He always said it didn’t matter if he got credit for the museum because he did it from his heart for Cleburne.

Billy was a member of Field Street Baptist Church and was a 32nd degree Mason, being a 50-year member of Julian Field Lodge in Fort Worth. He was a founding member of the Cowtown Opry of Fort Worth and a 2004 inductee into the Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame. He served as Chairman of the Johnson County Historical Commission from 2004-2010.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Carolyn Cate, and three sons, Bill Cate and wife Becki of Colleyville, Clif Matthews and wife Jennifer of Conroe, and Chris Matthews and wife Christy of Bangs; grandchildren Brooklen Cate and Brittani Cate of Colleyville, Kent Matthews, Megan Matthews and Chelsea Matthews of Houston, Jaeden Matthews of Tolar, Taylor Bossio and husband Chris of Killeen, Canyon Matthews and Zoey Matthews of Brownwood. He is also survived by his brother Harvey M. Cate, Jr. (Sonny) and wife Christine of Watauga; three sisters, Josie Galbiati of Arlington, Betty Simons of Webster, and Barbara Fuller and husband Royce of River Oaks; brother-in-law Don Cook, sister-in-law Lynda Williams and husband Kent, brother-in-law Gary Hutson and wife Debbie and brother-in-law Michael Hutson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Cook of Fort Worth. He is also survived by many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members and friends.

There will be a visitation Thursday, January 21 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Field Street Baptist Church, 201 N Field (Hwy 67W and Field Street), Cleburne TX 76033. Masks will be required and social distancing is requested.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation in Billy’s name to: Field Street Baptist Church Music Ministry, 201 N Field Street, Cleburne TX 76033 or Carroll Roberson Ministries, 203 S Clayton St, Ripley MS 38663.