Billy Ray (Bill) Scivally

Billy Ray (Bill) Scivally, 95, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on Friday, January 27, 2023.

Bill was born in Hollis, Oklahoma on January 3, 1928, to R.D. (Bill) Scivally and Sadie Caswell Scivally. He graduated from Arnett High School, Harmon County, Oklahoma in 1946. Bill’s primary occupation was a Cattleman.

Bill married Jessie Matheson on July 21, 1945, in Altus, Oklahoma. They had three children: Patricia Anne Gentry, and twins, Janet Sue Scivally and Kenneth Eugene Scivally. Bill and Jessie were married for 73 years at the time of her passing in 2019. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Sadie Scivally, his daughter, Janet Scivally, and his brother, Dr. Kenneth Rex Scivally.

Like many of his generation, Bill was self-motivated and self-educated. As a teenager, he frequented the local cattle auctions and taught himself how to auctioneer. Jessie and Bill relocated to the Texas Panhandle where Bill made a living trading cattle and auctioneering. From 1951-1968, Bill was employed by the Amarillo Livestock Auction as an auctioneer. He was also co-owner of Scivally’s Food Store with his uncle, Tom Scivally, from 1956-1966. Bill was a partner in building and operating KanTex Feeders and owner of Dimmitt Feedyard at the time of his retirement. For over 50 years, he was an active cattle buyer at area cattle auctions.

Bill was both humble and a true gentleman. He treated all people with respect and was held in high regard by his peers.

Bill had a strong Christian faith. He accepted the Lord and was baptized in 1940 at Antioch Baptist Church. In 1967, he was ordained as a Deacon at Tascosa Baptist Church. One of the founding members of Coulter Road Baptist Church, he served as Chairman of the Building Committee. For over 25 years, Bill served the Men’s Sunday School Class as a teacher and class leader. He later joined and was a current member of First Baptist Church at the time of his passing.

In retirement, Bill volunteered at Harrington Cancer Center and Meals on Wheels. The last three years, he lived at Park Place, where he made many friends and spent much of his time in service and fellowship.

Bill took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as “Pops”.

He is survived by two children and spouses, Patricia Gentry and husband Phil, Gene Scivally and wife Vicki, all of Amarillo, Texas; four grandchildren and spouses, John Scivally and wife Nicole, Brooks Gentry and wife April, Reid Scivally and wife Erin, Christen Woodburn and husband Tito; and seven great-grandchildren, McGuire Scivally, Quint and Grant Gentry, Sam and Sadie Scivally, and Kight and Wren Woodburn.

A special thank you to the caregivers at the Ware and BSA Hospice for their compassion and care.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the High Plains Food Bank or a favorite charity.