William B. Sanchez

William B. “Billy” Sanchez, 65 of Santa Rosa, NM, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Guadalupe County Hospital.

Billy was the first-born son of Felipe “Red” Sanchez, Jr. and Elvira “Vera” Sisneros Sanchez in Santa Rosa on May 3, 1959.  At the time of his birth, he had one sister, Phyllis.  Soon after came Phil III, Grace and Kimberly.

Billy attended Saint Rose of Lima Parochial School for 8 years and continued his education at Santa Rosa High School, graduating in 1977.  While in high school, he held a weekend job at Sheriff’s Truck Stop as a cook.   During the week after school, he worked for his dad at the Shamrock Service Station.  Shortly after high school graduation, he married his girlfriend, then enlisted in the US Army where he honorably served his country for four years, one of which was overseas in Korea.  During his time in the service, he had a son, Billy Ray.  He earned his rank as sergeant, he decided to return to Santa Rosa and worked for his dad at the Western Tire Center and U-Haul Rental and Storage for the next ten years.

 By the time he was 35, he was on the road to his dream life in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Here, he continued his career as a cook at several large casinos, as he advanced through the various positions of cooking for the next ten years.  He attended school to become a card dealer.  Upon completion, he became a card dealer and moved to a new nearby casino in Prim, Nevada.

 At the age of 50, he spent the next nine years between Amarillo, TX, Santa Rosa, NM and Las Vegas, NV.  Billy Ray and Consuelo Barron gave him the greatest gifts of his life; three grandchildren, Ethan, Natalia and Marisol.  The remaining years of his life, he enjoyed in Amarillo with his grandchildren picking them up from school, attending their school and extra-curricular activities.  Consuelo was like a daughter to him as they enjoyed shopping for holiday dinner, celebrating birthdays, and doing grandpo things.  Most recently, he met a new addition to his grandchildren, Nisa.  

Throughout his life he met many friends and acquaintances, but none as loved as his high school friends, AKA “The Pee Pee Gang”; Gary Salas, Armando Campos, Rudy Chavez, Bobby Lopez, John Padilla, Chris Tenorio, Ricky Gutierrez, Rick Flores, Michael Campos and John Perea, (if anyone was omitted, it was purely accidental).  Billy was a fun-loving, yet shy person who lived his life to the fullest.  

He is preceded in death by his father, Felipe “Red” Sanchez, mother, Vera Sisneros Sanchez, brother-in-law, Michael “Spyder” Sanchez and niece Mariah Sanchez.  

He is survived by his son Billy Ray Sanchez, of Tecolotito, mother of his grandchildren: Consuelo Barron, grandchildren, Ethan Sanchez, Natalia Sanchez, Marisol Sanchez, all from Amarillo, TX and Nisa Sanchez of Tecolotito.  Siblings, Phyllis (Manuel) Gonzales of Amarillo, TX, Phil Sanchez, III (Veronica), Grace (Louie) Romero and Kimberly Sanchez—all of Santa Rosa, and a cousin, Bruce Garcia of CA, along with a host of relatives and friends.  

Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 9, 2024 beginning at 9AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, with Father Moses Nwankwo officiating the service.

Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at Saint Rose of Lima Cemetery in Santa Rosa, with Bronson Sanchez, Ethan Sanchez, Chris Tenorio, Juan Chavez, Michael Campos, Ricky Flores, Bobby Lopez and Louie Romero, Sr. serving as Pallbearers.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.   575-472-3369.  To place an online condolence or tribute, kindly visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.