Billy Ray Cooks was born in Hammond, Texas, on August 31, 1952. He was the third born of eleven children to the late Eugene and Bessie Mae Cooks. At an early age, Billy confessed his life to Christ at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Hammond, TX.

Billy graduated from Bremond High School in 1971, where he excelled athletically in football as a Tight End. Shortly after graduating, Billy relocated to Dallas, TX, and began his adult life. For 7 years, Billy was married to Alice Marie Burns. Their marriage produced two amazing daughters, Phenique and Farrah Cooks.

After meeting Diana Dean and realizing the extraordinary love between them, Billy married the love of his life on December 12, 1981, under the officiating blessings of his uncle, Rev. Cecil Cooks in Dallas, TX. Their union introduced one child, Michael Dean, and soon after birthed another "Cooks Boy" into the family, Marcus. For the past 36 plus years, and until his untimely passing, Billy proudly drove semi-trucks at FedEx where he was an elder statesman to his team as well as a well-respected mentor to the younger drivers.

Billy was a member of Greater Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, where he faithfully served as a Deacon. Many men have enjoyable hobbies and Billy Ray's favorites were serving the Lord through his church, traveling with his wife, and enjoying his grandchildren.

He was a life-long Dallas area sports fan, rooting for his Cowboys, Mavericks & Rangers. At the start of the 2017-2018 season, Billy added a second basketball team to root for after the Boston Celtics selected his nephew (Jayson Tatum) as the 3rd overall pick in the
NBA draft.

Billy was a peaceful and optimistic man, full of great energy and love for God, his wife, children, family, and all the friends that were blessed to know him.

Billy will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 39 years Diana; Children: Phenique Harrison (Kenneth), Marshall, TX, Farrah Lynn Cooks, Jefferson, TX, Marcus Cooks, Dallas, TX, and Michael Dean, Dallas, TX; Siblings: Willie G. Cooks (Mae), Duncanville, TX, Donald Cooks, Desoto, TX, Mattie Cooks, Dallas, TX, Pauline Cooks-Paris, Desoto, TX, Brendia Cooks, Pearland, TX, Frank Cooks (Venita), Hammond, TX, Earline Pate (Robert), Pearland, TX, Linda Washington (Tristian), Pearland, TX, Clark Cooks, Mesquite, TX; Grandchildren: Micah Cooks, Desoto, TX, KeTraelan Harrison, Marshall, TX, Kenneton Harrison, Marshall, TX, Deundrien Cooks-Jones, Jefferson, TX, Shondadrien Cooks-Jones, Jefferson, TX, Camdeon Cooks-Jones, Jefferson, TX, Malik Dean, Dallas, TX, Mya Dean, Dallas, TX, Mia Dean, Dallas, TX, and Dante Wright, Austin, TX; Great Grandchildren, Nyhla Johnson, Jefferson, TX, Rileigh Johnson, Jefferson, TX; God-Children: Lavinia Robertson, Dallas, TX, Joie Nash, Dallas, TX; Best Friend: Larry Wiley, Dallas, TX; Uncles: Cecil Cooks and Sammy
Cooks; Double Cousins: Betty Cooks Johnson and Barbara Cooks Johnson; and numerous relatives, friends, and co-workers.

Billy was preceded in death by Father, Eugene Cooks, Mother, Bessie Mae Cooks, Brother, Mac A. Barnes, and Nephew, Derrick Cooks.