Billy Klapper's legacy as a legend is celebrated at Yellowstone | Television & Radio | Showbiz and television

Yellowstone has returned to The Paramount Network and Paramount Plus, with Season 5B beginning with a major name reveal from Lloyd Pierce, portrayed by Forrie J. Smith.

Mentioned was Billy Klapper, a renowned spur manufacturer and the last of his kind to make one-piece spurs for cowboys.

Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, was depicted admiring a pair of spurs in a store in Pampa, Texas. These special spurs were made by the real Billy Klapper himself, a character well known to every rancher and cowboy in the Pampas.

Billy made his first pair of spurs in 1966 while working as a ranch manager. His creations quickly became very popular, leading him to focus on making spores full-time.

His craftsmanship was soon recognized by the worldwide ranching and cowboy community. He filmed a guest appearance for the series' final episodes, but sadly passed away on September 10, 2024, before making his on-screen appearance, the Mirror reports.

Billy died at the age of 87 in his home in Pampas, surrounded by his daughters. His career began as a ranch hand at the Buckle L Ranch in Childress and later at the Y Ranch in Paducah.

He spent a lot of time with the famous bit and spur maker Adolph Bayers, who inspired him to delve into the world of spur making.

Through mutual friends, Billy met his wife Roberta in Amarillo and they married in 1973. They remained together until her death in 2021.

His obituary said: “Billy will be remembered as a good man, a friend to all, and most of all, a 'true' cowboy.”

“He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Billy has been making the 'Western' part of the Western heritage for years and now it's part of the heritage.”

He leaves behind two daughters, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

In a candid conversation with Western Horseman before his death, Billy recounted a pivotal moment in his life when he had to choose between his craft and his cowboy lifestyle.

“It got to the point where I had so many orders that I had to give up [making bits and spurs] or quit cowboying,” he shared.

“I may have to work a little harder at it, but I thought I could make more money and stay warm in the winter.”

“I liked being a cowboy, but there was no money involved and I had a family. It’s just about living paycheck to paycheck.”

In the hit series Yellowstone, Rip was honored with a pair of spurs crafted by the legendary Billy Klapper. “We are almost out of legends, there are none left to take their place,” one of the 6,666 ranch cowboys told Rip.

Yellowstone airs on Sundays on The Paramount Network in the US, while UK fans can catch up on Mondays on Paramount Plus.