Tributes

Billy Ray Wetta was born February 13th , 1931 in San Antonio, Texas and went to be with the lord on December 25th, 2024. Born in San Antonio, Texas to Willie and Erna Wetta, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949, working at HEB until he decided to join the military, serving with the Marines throughout the Korean War. After honorably serving his country, he was discharged and started work at the Petty Seismograph Company, traveling all over the country, and finally met the love of his life, Della Heath in Crockett, a small town in the piney woods of East Texas. They dated for four years, Billy making the trek from San Antonio or wherever he was to spend time with Della, before they eventually married on April 8, 1961, in Crockett. They moved to San Antonio to start a new life and a new family. Their first daughter, Zandra, appeared in 1963, with their son, Eric, following shortly behind in 1964. Their second daughter, Heather, arrived later, in 1974. After marriage, Billy changed careers, moving from the Seismograph company to the US Post Office, trading constant travel for a more consistent schedule that allowed him to stay home and be a father. He stayed in this job for 30 years, retiring and taking a position at Alamo Heights High School as a monitor so he could be close to his wife and his youngest daughter as they navigated the halls, retiring a few years after his daughter graduated and went off to college. After retirement he spent time doing things he enjoyed. Gardening and yard work were particular loves, with his backyard becoming a sanctuary thick with succulents, cacti, and fig trees that he tended daily. He spent time with Della, too, cooking, conversing, and enjoying his retirement when, much to his delight, he became a loving grandfather in 2008. He easily transitioned into the role of a loving grandfather, passing on stories and wisdom to Xander, Benjamin, Louis, and George, watching them grow. He always joked that the boys would be too young to remember him when he was gone, but he was a part of their life for sixteen wonderful years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Erna Wetta, his two sisters Patricia Moehring and Leona Brooks, brother-in-law Wesley Moehring, and daughter Zandra Wetta. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Della Wetta, children Eric Wetta of San Antonio and Heather Segrest of College Station, Texas, grandchildren Xander, Benjamin, Louis, and George Segrest of College Station, Texas, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of Billy’s life will be held for family and friends at 12:00pm on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Mission Park, 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr., San Antonio, Texas. Visitation will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on January 3, 2025 at the same location.

Tributes

Billy Ray Wetta

February 13, 1931 - December 25, 2024