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Billy W. Wootres Sr., 82, passed away September 7, 2009. Billy was born on April 13, 1927, to John W. And Willie McCargo Wootres in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He is survived by Vivian, his wife of almost 52 years. Other survivors include daughter Wanda Wootres and husband Bill Jaynes; daughter Nelda Pocs and husband Rene; grandson Corey Christman and wife Sandra; grandchildren Jonna and Cole Jaynes, and granddaughter Tracy Pocs; great-grandsons Marcus and Matthew Christman; nephew Christopher Wootres of Virginia; and nieces Roberta Tarling of England, and Cathay Lewis of Wales. His son, Billy Jr.; his parents; and his brother, Jack; preceded him in death. Following a short stint in the Navy, Billy attended New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas. He taught the first Vocational Leather Craft Class at the University. Billy served a four-year saddle making apprenticeship in Abilene, TX, and worked as a Journeyman Saddlemaker in many Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California saddle shops. He also owned saddle shops in Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and Mountainair. Billy was a well-known saddle maker and leather carver. He made about 3000 saddles during his career, and many are still used on ranches in NM, TX, AZ, and CA. Some of them have been in use for 40 years. While living in Albuquerque, Billy made 27 saddles for the Bernalillo County 4-H Rodeos. At one time, he sold his tools and retired due to poor health. He couldn't obtain tools quickly enough when his health improved, so he began designing and making tools himself. Some of his tools were bought by leather carvers from other countries. Billy made his last saddle in 2005 and donated it to Cowboys for Cancer Research (C4CR) at their team roping event in Las Cruces, NM. C4CR raffled the saddle, and donated the $13,400 in proceeds to the University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Development Center in Albuquerque. One of the winners of a Billy Wootres trophy saddle at the 1989 4-H Rodeo was riding his saddle at the 2005 team roping. Later this month, Billy will receive the prestigious Don King Saddlemaker Award given by the Academy of Western Artists. He was elected unanimously by a panel of his saddle making peers. Billy was a member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church and the New Mexico Roadrunner Leather Guild. He was a member of Five Points Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite, El Paso, TX. During his rodeo days, he was a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association, which is now the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He was a Master Gardner and gave classes on gardening methods. Family and friends may pay their respects at French Mortuary on Wednesday, September 9th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Services will be held at Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 3100 Morris NE Albuquerque, NM at 11:00 am on September 10, 2009. Pallbearers will be Corey Christman, Cole Jaynes, Christopher Wootres, Philip Jones, Paul Brinegar, and Paul Zalesak. Honorary pallbearers will be Jonna Jaynes, Tracy Pocs, Rene Pocs, Bill Jaynes, John Atkins, G.M. "Dogie" Jones, and Alvin Chewiwi. Following cremation, a private graveside service will be held at the Mountainair Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions my be made to University of New Mexico Cancer Center, MSC 084630, Attention Development Department, (Indicate "In Memory of Billy Wootres"), 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131; Cowboys for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 202, Las Cruces, NM 88032; Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 3100 Morris NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111; or First Baptist Church, Mountainair, NM 87036. Please visit our online guestbook for Billy at RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
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