William “Billy” Anthony Ragusin, 83, of Port O’Connor, Texas peacefully passed away to our Lord on July 15, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born in Port O’Connor on February 24, 1940 to Tony and Elvira Ragusin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Freda Lee Ragusin Howard, sisters Rose Marie Ragusin, and Josephine Whitley (Clinton Ray).
Billy was a lifelong resident of Port O’Connor. He started working as teen for Clark’s Seafood which proved a great work ethic, and lifelong friendships with Kenneth Clark and Henry Anderson. He was so young when he started working for Clark’s at the ripe old age of ten, that he had to stand on a basket to reach the shrimp heading table. When he was 13, he asked for full-time work to help support his mother and nine brothers and sisters. He remained a cornerstone of Clark’s for many years, even past retirement. He was also known as a legendary flounderman, who supplied an endless supply of fish to the local restaurants. You could often find him at Stryker’s Café, then later Cathy’s having coffee throughout any day with many of his fisherman friends. Billy also supported his family when he bought and operated several shrimp boats including the Honey O, the Willie Ragusin, and the Ava Maria. Billy, also a great carpenter, remodeled and built at least five homes in Port O’Connor for his family.
He shared his passion for fishing and floundering with many throughout the years. Often times after floundering all night, he enjoyed a breakfast of fried whole flounder, refried beans and a stack of homemade tortillas prepared by his wife Margaret. Port O’Connor has remained the gathering hub of Billy’s family now and throughout the years. Although he spent a lot of time fishing and working, you would see his biggest and happiest smile while spending time with his grandchildren.
Billy is survived by his wife Margaret Rubio Ragusin of 63 years; son William “Willie” Anthony Ragusin, Jr., daughter-in-law Dawn Ragusin, grandchildren William Anthony Ragusin, III, Taylor Lee Ragusin, Julissa Lee Lopez (Gabriel), Gary Stan Crone, Jr. (Tiffany); great grandchildren Lyric and Luna Lopez, and Paxon Crone; siblings Robert J. Ragusin (Rosalinda) Mesquite, TX, Mary Helen Holland (Frankie) San Antonio, Catherine A. Le Francis (Donald) Everett, WA, Samuel Ragusin Victoria, TX, Irene Silguero (Ildelfonso) Charlotte, NC, Raymond C. Ragusin (Sharon) Matthews, NC, Richard Lee Ragusin (Ofelia) Port Lavaca, Sylvia Ragusin Port O’Connor; brothers and sisters-in-law Johhny Rubio (Mary Helen), Bel Alvarado (Raul), Louis Rubio (Amele), Annie Reyes (Ruben), Mary Anzaldua (Eloy), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Reverend JC Alderete officiated a graveside service at Port O’Connor Cemetery on Thursday July 20, 2023. A reception meal followed at the Port O’Connor Community Center main hall.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Henry Anderson, Will Ragusin, Taylor Ragusin, Paxon Crone, Calvin Ragusin, Jerome Preslar, Joey Lane, Ruben Reyes, Bobby Ragusin, Ricky Ragusin, Sammy Ragusin, and Raymond Ragusin.
Pall Bearers: Gary Crone Jr, Patrick Ragusin, Chris Harper, Gerald Partida, Robert Bernal, and Chris Alvarado.
Words from Billy’s Pall Bearers
Robert Bernal:
For me like many other friends and family, Uncle Billy has been an anchor of support when we’ve needed a boost, his words of encouragement and wisdom have brought confidence and clarity so we could have the courage to evolve in our own careers, families, and lives. Even in the end Uncle Billy thought of those he loved more than himself. He was absolutely a mentor of faith and family that I will continue to attempt to model my life after.
Chris Harper:
The thing that sticks with me most about Poppo was his work ethic and his extensive wardrobe, both of which he passed down to his son Willie.
Chris Alvarado:
Uncle Billy Master Fisherman; some of my best memories were fishing with Uncle Billy.Master Mariner; no one knew the water like Uncle Billy. He always let me drive his boats.
Master Carpenter; he built many houses he called home for his loved ones.
He enjoyed everyone’s company with family fish-fries and holiday gatherings.
He was a Legend of his time. He was the Anchor for our family to keep coming to POC. He’ll be forever missed. Ragusin 2023
Gary Crone Jr. “Noony”
It is almost impossible to put into words how great of a man Poppo was. He showed and taught me so many things: fishing, backing up a trailer, driving a boat, casting a net, and of course the golden rule of carpentry- Measure twice, cut once! But best of all, Poppo taught me the importance of family. How to love, respect and provide.
My grandpa, the best flounderman that ever fished these waters, known to many as Billy Ragusin, Father, Uncle, Brother, Grandfather, Great Grandfather….will always be Poppo to me.
Gerald Partida
Growing up in Port Lavaca comes hand-in-hand with Port O Connor.
When I first moved to La Porte TX/Houston area the people I met would always talk about deep-sea fishing .. going out to the Gulf, fishing around the Galveston bays.
Well, the first thing that popped into my mind was my first Gulf experienced at the age of 7 with Uncle Billy on one of his boats, the smell ,, color,, and sound of the waters,, along with the beautiful blue skies.
And I always remember Uncle Billy the captain of his boats, navigating without technology, he was a natural and really good at it, him always knowing exactly where he’s at.
Taking us here ,, taking us over there and us always just enjoying the beautiful views.
I feel like I’ve been blessed to have experienced the waters many times over the years starting out at an early age thanks to my Uncle Billy.
There’s way too many memories to talk about, but this one was one of the first that I cherish the most and is very special to me,, Along with one of his first model boats that he made for me, which I have in my living room on display till this day.
I love and miss you Uncle Billy and thank you again for all the wonderful cherished family memories.
Love Always,
Your nephew, Gerald Jay
Tribute to Uncle Billy
By Patrick Ragusin “Pickle”
Someone once said, “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” It takes a very special man to be able to do both.
Uncle Billy was a family man with a large family. He probably taught most of the people here (at Billy’s service) how to fish. Whether it be providing you with seafood or inviting you to sit and eat at Aunt Margaret’s kitchen table, or taking family and friends fishing, teaching the age-old technique of “dead shrimp on bottom,” he always seemed willing. But what really sticks in my head and I was most impressed by was his ability to run his boat in the dark for what seemed like hours, shut it down, grab a gig, and be floundering in seconds. He was a craftsman who mastered his craft. No one gigged more flounder than Uncle Billy!
In the last 25 years I was lucky enough to spend time with Uncle Billy at the bait house, often covering for him as he went to get coffee. I spent a lot of time picking his brain on where he saw redfish the night before or how to build something.
After a fishing trip, I would throw my fish on the cleaning table, sometimes filling it up. I would wait for him to come around the corner in his shrimp boots and his blue shirt, look at my fish and say, “Is that all you caught?” with a smile. I soon learned that was the approval I was looking for. Now if I threw a flounder on the table, he would say, “I don’t gig your redfish, you shouldn’t be catching my flounder,” always, with a smile.
He was known coast-wide. People I’ve met from up and down the coast would ask me if I was related to him. Commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and anyone who bought shrimp, oyster, or fish in Port O’Connor. They would ask how he was doing and tell me how much respect they had for him. I will always remember him as a local legend. I was blessed to have him in my life.
Words from Bobby Ragusin:
Billy Ragsuin was my brother, was a lifelong resident of POC, never wanted to leave. Worked hard for Clark’s fish house for many years. Started when he was 14 years old. He was a true flounderman. Gigged more fish than anyone. People learned from him how to gig fish. Never liked parties. He was happy being at the fish house. Had to be by the sea. I will miss my brother. He was a good man. Everybody knew Billy. And for Margaret his wife who always stood by his side through good times and bad.
Bobby Ragusin
Thanks from Billy’s Siblings:
The siblings of Billy Ragusin would like to thank everyone that said prayers, brought food, sent flowers, and just showed to say goodbye. Whether you kept him in your thoughts and prayers or sent a lovely arrangement or helped out in any other way, your love and kindness brought us great comfort. Your love has given us strength! Thank you for your kindness during our deepest sadness!
Billy was an exceptional man. He was kind and generous. Always thought of others before himself. We love you Billy and you are gonna be deeply missed!!
THANK YOU FROM:
Bobby, Mary, Katie, Sammy, Irene, Raymond,
Ricky, and Sylvia
Thanks from the Family:
We would like to express our sincere thank you for the outpouring of kind words of love and support, food, cards, and helping us get through a really tough time as we take heart in knowing our loved one is now with the Lord our Father in heaven.
May God Bless you all.
-The Billy Ragusin Family
