Who was Billy Klapper? This devotion, explained

Sunday night's “Yellowstone” premiere brought with it not one, but two disturbing deaths. However, only one of these happened in real life (Mild spoilers for “Yellowstone” Season 5, Episode 9).

Part of “Desire Is All You Need” followed Rip (Cole Hauser) as he traveled to a Loriner to pick up a piece of horse for Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith). But while he was in the shop in Pampa, Texas, one craftsman's work in particular caught his eye: a set of spurs made from a single piece of metal. This craftsman was Billy Klapper, who appeared as himself in the episode.

Klapper, a legend in his field, began making bits and spurs full-time in 1968. He was best known in the cowboy community for his one-piece spurs, the very piece that catches Rip's eye in the episode. He was also one of the few remaining spur makers trained by Adolph Bayers, another legend who made bits and spurs from the 1930s to the 1970s. According to his obituary, Klapper made 682 different spur patterns and 816 different denture patterns over the course of his long career. He was revered for his artistry and his ability to recreate old designs from other manufacturers.

Klapper died on September 10th of this year at the age of 87. He is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Yeates and Elizabeth Wilson, and six grandchildren.

The Handyman appears as himself in the fifth season episode and is Klapper's only known on-screen appearance. The final moments of Episode 9 also include a commemorative card in his honor.

This isn't the first time “Yellowstone” has incorporated real-life cowboys and characters from this world into the series. Creator Taylor Sheridan grew up as a cowboy and currently owns part of the “Yellowstone” 6666 Ranch. In addition to writing and hosting the series, Sheridan also plays the role of rodeo cowboy and horse trader Travis Wheatley. Other real-life cowboys starring in the drama include Smith, Jake Ream, Ryan Bingham and Ethan Lee.

“Yellowstone” airs Sunday nights on Paramount Network before streaming on Paramount+.