Billy Raymond Woodard, age 58, of Dallas, Texas passed away on May 8, 2017 in Frisco, Texas. Billy was born March 2, 1959 in Lamesa, Texas to Billy Roy and Joretta (Murff) Woodard.

Billy is survived by his mother, Joretta High and her husband, Charles of Austin, Texas; and sister, Linda Gail Ross and her husband, Michael of Frisco, Texas.

Billy is preceded in death by his father, Billy Roy Woodard.

Known to most people he knew by his middle name, Raymond, or to his closest friends from his early days simply as “Woodard,” Raymond was often soft-spoken and could be a man of few words. This trait contrasted with his thirst for knowledge of all things historical, particularly a quest to learn about and experience life in different countries and live among different cultures. This led Raymond to seek adventure overseas in many diverse places through his work and travel.

Raymond was fortunate to provide services to U.S. embassies in places like Moscow, Beijing, Kiev, Ukraine and Baghdad, Iraq.  He worked in Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, where he spent many of his off hours scuba diving. From these venues he would travel in his down time to places like Kenya, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Amsterdam, Egypt and the U.K. At each location he would search out local artwork or hand-made artifacts representative of the culture as a remembrance of his experience and to send as gifts to his family.

While in each station assignment, Raymond was an avid reader and had a particular interest in historical leaders, dynasties, and all things war-related. If there was a multi-DVD set on a war or other complex historical event, Raymond likely had it in his collection.

Raymond was taken too early, but did have the good fortune of knowing for many years of the possible consequences with his progressive battle with cancer and made sure he lived life to the fullest with the time given him.