Billy Glen Renfroe

Billy Glen Renfroe, of Groesbeck, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at age 91.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in Faulkenberry Cemetery, with Pastor Ben Heubner officiating.

Honorary bearers will be Ron Franks, Glendell Rand, and in memory of friends, Jerry Parmley, Don Johnson and D.M. Gordon; also, Mary’s Friday Coffee Group, and the Methodist Sunday School Class. 

Billy, also known to others as Bill, was born on September 25, 1934, to Z.L. Renfroe and Jenny (Lane) Renfroe in Groesbeck, where he grew up. When he was old enough, he started making money on a paper route, riding his bicycle all over town delivering the Dallas Morning News. He later expanded on this by adding paper racks in local businesses. In high school, he spent summers in Dallas staying with his sister and working at Mrs. Bairds’ Bread where he became good friends with Scott Baird. Bill played football and basketball for the Groesbeck Goats, and graduated from Groesbeck High School in the Class of 1953.

Bill was attending Texas A&M and a member of the Corps of Cadets, when finances prompted him to join the Marines. This turned out to be a fortunate decision in his life, as his good friend, Scott Baird also joined the Marines, and they were both in California, where he met his future wife. They knocked on a door in Oceanside looking for someone, and Mary Cannon opened the door. Bill and Mary enjoyed talking with each other then and later, and fell in love. 

Bill and Mary were united in marriage in San Diego, CA. on March 12, 1959. While dirt-poor in California, their luxury was spending $2.00 to sit on the bleachers at the horse races. Later, Scott became his brother-in-law, when he married Mary’s sister. 

Several months after their marriage, Mary and Bill moved back to Texas. They lived in Richardson for twenty-one years, where they raised their two children. Bill worked for Shaw Equipment Co as the sales manager for heavy equipment, until his retirement. 

When Bill retired, they moved to Groesbeck. He didn't stay retired, but opened a business in Groesbeck, Ren-Co Chemical Supply, with his son Rhone being his partner. He also enjoyed having a cattle operation and going out to the pasture to see the cows. Mary would tell people that Bill was out “visiting his girlfriends.” Their enjoyment of horse races from their younger years came full circle when they dabbled in owning race-horses themselves for a few years.

Bill had a big heart, and could not bear to see someone in need without trying to help them, even if he did not personally know them. He was very generous in “behind the scene” ways that people did not know about, and was a big supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital for many years. His kindness even extended to animals, as he could not pass up feeding stays left around him. His last dog, queen of the house, was a rescue from Lara’s House.

Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Richardson and became a member of Groesbeck Lodge #354, and had served as a past master. He and Mary were members of the First Methodist Church of Groesbeck, and enjoyed many friendships throughout their lives.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and three brothers and their spouses: Josie and Boyce Attaway, C.A. “Josie” and Marion Renfroe, Katie and Weldon Stewart, Bobby and Betty Renfroe, and Don Renfroe; and his beloved wife, Mary Ellen Renfroe in 2022.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Cinde and Gary Paul Matocha of Spring; son, Rhone J. Renfroe of Groesbeck; Major Gary Daniel Matocha of North Carolina, and granddaughter, Laina Matocha of Brooklyn, New York; and also many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Bill be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas PL, Memphis, TN 38105.