Legendary Bit & Spur Maker
The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is honored to posthumously induct Billy Ray Klapper, a legendary bit and spur maker, into the Class of 2025. Billy, who passed away on September 10, 2024, at the age of 87, left a lasting legacy in Western craftsmanship, cowboy culture, and the equine industry.
Born on April 19, 1937, in Lazare, Texas, Billy was raised in a farming family and began his career as a ranch hand at the Buckle L Ranch in Childress and later the Y Ranch in Paducah. His journey as a bit and spur maker began under the mentorship of the famed Adolph Bayers, with whom observed and was able to get an idea of the process, but he later crafted his first pair of spurs in 1966. By 1968, demand for his work had grown so immensely that he made cowboy gear full-time. Over his career, Billy developed 682 spur patterns and 816 bit patterns, establishing an irreplaceable legacy in the ranching and cowboying world. Known for his one-piece spurs, he listened closely to the needs of working cowboys, creating bits that transformed the cutting horse industry and became globally sought after for both their function and artistry.
Billy and his wife, Roberta, who married in 1973, shared nearly five decades together, participating in Pony Express Races, attending bit and spur shows, and immersing themselves in the Western way of life. Known as a true cowboy and a man of enduring integrity, Billy Klapper’s work and life embody the spirit of Western heritage.
Fellow Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member Johnny Trotter referred to Klapper as "an iconic cowboy, bit, and spur maker," and longtime friend Frank G. Merrill offered praise, saying, "Billy Klapper was a good friend, but more importantly, he was a servant to all who work as cowboys and horsemen across the world. His craftsmanship is admired, cherished, and sought after by everyone who has ever thrown a leg over a horse. I can think of no other bit and spur maker who has had such a lasting impact on the Western equine and cattle industry."
As he joins the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Billy Klapper’s legacy will inspire future generations, symbolizing dedication to craftsmanship, integrity, and the enduring spirit of the cowboy. His contributions will forever be celebrated as part of the Hall of Fame's tribute to Western heritage.