Billy Ray Harris II's Obituary
Billy Ray Harris II (1974-2025)
Billy Harris was born January 7, 1974, in Dallas, Texas and tragically lost his life to a severe heart attack on March 28, 2025. He had the most beautiful red hair and brilliant mind. In his elementary years, he excelled as an athlete in all sports including soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and riding motorcycles; and he was a member of his high school golf team. He had a natural ear for music and was a clever contender in billiards. His passion for technology began at age 8, and continued throughout his life, underscored by his lifelong career and achievements in advancing innovation and technology.
Billy graduated from Lakeview Centennial High School in 1992 and DeVry Institute of Technology in 1997. His career path underscores his exceptional talent, and included positions at Intel, Microsoft, Blackberry, Amazon, and State Farm. He was a highly skilled Cloud Native Architect with more than 20 years’ experience formulating innovative strategies and delivering transformational solutions for the world’s largest enterprises. He cultivated lifelong friendships and relationships with respected colleagues across the globe; he was admired for his strong presence and the way he made others feel valued while inspiring them to grow and strive for excellence.
Though Billy had a distinguished career and loving family, it was evident to all that when he met Katie, he found his person. Friends and family fondly recall how deeply in love he was with her, and how she made him want to be a better man. On July 3, 2003, they exchanged vows in a secret ceremony, embarking on a beautiful life filled with adventures. They relocated from Carrollton to San Francisco before settling in their home base in Dallas. Billy and Katie shared a bond like no other, moving through life to the beat of their own drum. They were two peas in a pod, fiercely protecting the beautiful life they built together, a world filled with love, laughter, and adventure, alongside their beloved fur babies, Molly, Ruby, and Url.
Billy thrived on the thrill of the big win, whether in life, career, or, most importantly, love. He held those in his circle of trust close to his heart, cared deeply, loved big, and was fiercely loyal. Generosity was at the heart of who he was, and he found greater joy in giving than in receiving. His quick wit and unmatched sense of humor kept everyone laughing, whether through perfectly timed jokes or his legendary memes. For Katie, he was always up for watching reality TV or a game show, and laughing out loud at the amusing things people did for love or money. A passionate sports fan, he loved watching NFL RedZone, basketball, and MMA. He also enjoyed collecting treasured sports cards, a hobby he shared with his beloved grandmother, Honey.
Our beloved Billy is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Penn Harris, who was his world and he was hers; his two furry children: Ruby and Url, his proud parents: Deborah and Dan Town, who treasure him; father-in-law: John Penn; his adoring sister: Erin and husband Casey; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Elizabeth and Jathan, Joseph and Steve, and Sarah and Gordon; Aunts and Uncles: Theresa and Mary, Tammy and Mike and Toni and Eric, Great-aunts: Jerry, Mary and Wanda; Nephews: Paxton and Ryan; Nieces: Chloe and Saylor; and many loving cousins; dear friends; and close colleagues.
Preceded in death by his beloved furry girl, Molly; his loving grandparents: Shirley and Billy Harris (Honey and Paw-Paw), who helped raise him and treasured him as he did them; his adoring mother-in-law, JoAnne Penn with whom he shared a special bond; his Grandmother-in-law Rose Miller who he adored, Great-grandparents: Nannie Ash, Ollie and Bill Bellah, and Great-great Grandmother, Ann Collier.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Dallas Fire Station #7 first responders and the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano medical team and nurses for their heroic efforts and compassion.
SERVICE: a Celebration of Life for Billy will be held at 2pm Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Restland Memorial Chapel, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice in Billy’s memory would especially warm his heart.
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