MUSKOGEE, OK—OCTOBER 7, 2015—Longtime horse trainer Billy Ray Weger died Sunday (Oct. 4) in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was 77-years-old.

Weger was born on October 23, 1937, to Arthur Weger and Leona Grundy in Denison, Texas. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Since AQHA began recording trainer statistics in 1970, Wegner trained 887 winners from 5,893 starters. His trainees won more than $2.7 million. Among his runners are 1999 Texas Classic Derby (G1) winner Jakes Jockmo, as well as graded stakes winners Optimizer, Miss Bold Hope, Cash Alliance, Dash To Royalty, Count Chess, Image Count and Count Arrival.

He also bred 43 starters who earned more than $450,000. Among them is the aforementioned Cash Alliance ($122,883), as well as stakes winner Streakinmego ($78,085).

Thirty-four years ago, Weger moved from Kansas to Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He was of the Christian faith and was a member of the Church of Christ. He loved hunting and fishing.

Weger is survived by two children, Kay Poindexter and Lehman of Porter, Oklahoma and Ray Weger and Debbie of San Antonio, Texas, six grandchildren, Blaken Poindexter of Salisaw, Oklahoma, Jason Poindexter and Kristie McGuire of Porter, Oklahoma, Austin Weger of College Station, Texas, and Ashley Amerson and Carl of Fort Worth, Texas, Cory Davis and Lindsay Davis of San Antonio, Texas, two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Barrett Amerson, and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by four brothers, Roy, Gordon, Buddy, and Merle, one sister, Lorena, and his parents, Arthur and Leona Weger.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 8, at 2 p.m. at the American Funeral Service chapel in Colbert, Oklahoma. Larry Poindexter will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the American Funeral Service chapel in Colbert, Oklahoma.

Arrangements are under the American Funeral Service, Colbert, Oklahoma. CLICK HERE to sign the guestbook.