William “Little Billy” Robert Horton, 19, of Pollok, formerly of Nederland, left this world on Monday, January 26, 2015. He was born on February 14, 1995, to Sheila Rae Valdes and Billy Eston Horton.

Little Billy touched many hearts during his life and will be remembered fondly by those who knew him. He never met a stranger. Little Billy was raised in Nederland before moving to Lufkin a few years ago where he graduated from Lufkin High School in 2014. He worked at Lufkin State School doing odd jobs such as folding towels and taking out the trash. Fridays were always a special day because it was payday and he loved going on outings to spend the money he had earned or would put it all in the vending machines they had on the campus. One of his biggest joys was anything Pokémon. Cards, books, figurines, shirts, it did not matter; if it was Pokémon he loved it. Little Billy also enjoyed playing basketball and riding his bike. Of course, he loved it when his family would visit. We took him to see the latest movies, to the zoo, to the farm to fish, and ride golf carts, etc. It was always a fun time. 

Little Billy attended church every Sunday and Wednesday at Lufkin State Supported Living Center chapel. We had the chance to meet Chaplain Greg during one of our recent visits and he told me how much Little Billy loved attending church, singing the songs, and praising God. His favorite church song was “I’ll Fly Away”. Each time we spoke with Little Billy on the phone, which was almost every day, he would say he was going to pray for us; and, of course, when were we going to come visit him again.

Survivors include his father, Billy Horton and his wife, Lisa, of Nederland; mother, Sheila Mitchell and her husband, Don, of Atascocita; sisters, Lauren Horton of Atascocita, Lacy Horton, Lexi Solorzano, and Tyler Mitchell, all of Nederland, and Roxanne Courtney of Lumberton; grandparents, Nelda and Curtis Phillips, of Laurel, Mississippi; Stella and John Shillinglaw and Julio and Maria Valdes, all of Houston; Roy and Marie Hester, of Beaumont; and Riley and Wanda Mitchell, of Nederland; and many other relatives family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Eston Horton.

Our family would like to thank everyone who was a part of Little Billy’s life. You are all very much appreciated.

A gathering of Little Billy’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2015, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2015, at Broussard’s, Nederland. A family committal will be held at a later date at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made in Little Billy’s memory to Parents and Researchers Interested in Smith-Magenis Syndrome, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Suite 266A-633, Sterling, Virginia 20164.