Billie Ann Evans
Barrel Racer & Rodeo Secretary
1931-1978
Born on October 12th, 1931, Billie Ann Evans was the youngest daughter of Eva and W.E. Bunton. The Bunton’s were long-time ranchers of the Marfa area. Billie Ann and her sister Beverly were home-schooled for several years, enabling the two to help with the ranching business. She later attended Marfa High School, the University of Texas, and Sul Ross State University.
Billie Ann first attended the West of the Pecos Rodeo in 1950 as a contestant in barrel racing. From the early '60s through 1970, she ran barrels and also served as the secretary at many rodeos, including the Pecos Rodeo for the Steiner XS Rodeo producer Tommy Steiner, a 2006 TRHoF Inductee, who just happened to be her brother-in-law. Billie Ann would arrive in Pecos a week before the rodeo started, keep the rodeo office open at the Cactus Hotel, answer the phone for all entries and type everything on a portable manual typewriter. She won the barrel race on her 20-year-old mare in 1970. All the RCA cowboys remembered Billie Ann for her quick smile and totally positive attitude.
The only job she ever held besides being secretary for Steiner and being a wonderful mother was helping on the family ranches. Her husband said that she was the best cowboy he ever had to help him. J.W. 'Bub' Evans and Billie Ann were married on March 1, 1952. Bub was also from a prominent ranching family in the area.
After a very courageous battle with cancer, Billie Anne passed away on October 11, 1978, and was buried in the Marfa, Texas cemetery. She left behind two children who loved her dearly, Jean Anne Fort of Alpine and Curtis Edward Evans of the Marfa area. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren, Drew, Holly Anne, Mimi, Curtis, and Agee. Billie Ann’s husband, J.W. “Bub” Evans is also inducted into the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame.