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Bill Bragg, one of the deep voices who said 'Howdy, folks' as Big Tex, dies at 72
Bill Bragg, a former voice of Big Tex whose deep, booming voice welcomed millions to the State Fair of Texas each year with a folksy "Howdy, folks," died Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 72.
Bragg became the iconic voice of the giant statue that epitomizes Texas hospitality in 2002 and served until he was fired in 2013 in a contract dispute.
"He was larger than life and will be missed," the State Fair of Texas said in a statement Saturday. "Our condolences to his family and loved ones."
Tributes poured in on Facebook when word of Bragg's death spread.
"There are people, then there are people like you," Sylvia Kramer of Sacramento, Calif., wrote. "People we never expect to meet, let alone have a major impact on our lives. You were one of those few people. You listened, you cared, you encouraged, and you made us smile."
Kramer, who lists her nickname as "Little Tex," called Bragg "the father figure I didn't know I needed."
"I don't think there is anything I can say or do to let you know how grateful I am to have had such a one-of-a-kind person like you in my life," she wrote. "All I can do is wipe these tears off my face and take the advice you gave me: 'Keep on keeping on.'"
Another Facebook post referred to Bragg as "the true voice of Big Tex."
Michael Biel, who works at Yesterday USA, a satellite and radio network that airs old radio shows and other nostalgic programs that Bragg founded in 1983, mourned his longtime friend on Facebook.
"I've known Bill since 1975 and remember the phone call where he said he had an idea to start a national satellite nostalgia network. Would it work? It did, and YesterdayUSA became a success," Biel wrote on Facebook.
Biel also posted a video of Bragg broadcasting from his home during a visit in 2005.
Yesterday USA was available nationwide on "numerous Cable Television Outlets, in over 2,000 Hospitals and Nursing Homes and on many Low-Power AM & FM Radio Stations," Bragg wrote in his online resume.
Bragg was fired as the voice of Big Tex in 2013, not long after the statue burned to the ground and had to be rebuilt. At the time, Bragg said he had angered State Fair officials by taking his Big Tex persona outside of the fairgrounds for charity events.
"They got very upset," Bragg told The Dallas Morning News shortly after he was fired. "I was showing up as Bill Bragg, the voice of Big Tex, not Big Tex. People want me to make a personal appearance because I have a nice voice. They want to introduce me as Bill Bragg, the voice of Big Tex."
Bragg also served as a voice for RFD-TV and occasionally turned up in movies, playing an uncredited cameraman in Semi-Tough, a 1977 movie about professional football with Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson and Jill Clayburgh.
Bragg, a graduate of Hillcrest High School, is survived by his wife, Kim. Funeral services are pending. https://www.dallasnews.com/obituaries/obituaries/2019/06/29/bill-bragg-one-deep-voices-said-howdy-folks-big-tex-dies-72
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Carolyn Guise (Osborne)
You truly were "larger than life"..... the "real" voice of Big Tex!
You will be greatly missed.
Stephen Hoffner
I worked very briefly with Bill at EDS when he handled audio visual presentations as a contractor. He was a pro in every respect and his talents will be missed.
Lee "Oma Lee" Nelms (Davis)
Always the voice of Big Tex. RIP Bill
H. Fred Anderson
I first met Bill at Vickery Elementary School after moving from Houston to Dallas in my fifth grade year. He was always a nice guy and was easy to get to know. I learned quickly that he was one of the first kids chosen whenever soccer teams were being put together at recess because he was a great goalie. With his long arms and height he could block almost any shot. Bill was a good friend and always had a good word to say. I wish his family the best in the coming years and hope they know what a great guy he was. Good bye Bill, we will miss you.
Sally Hardy (Purdin)
Bill & I attended Vickery Elementary together. We went on to Benjamin Franklin and Hillcrest High School. Bill was always kind, and to us "shortie's" he was VERY Tall. I loved going to the fair and always hearing his voice. Made me proud that I could say I KNOW him personally! Great guy and Big Tex will be missed
Gary Barron
Yes, it was sad to learn of Bill's passing. Living around the block from each other, we essentially grew up together....from 1st grade through high school graduation...Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts as well as other school activities. As a child he seemed to have a passion for the study of electricity, and he constructed all kinds of gadgets. If one ever had a question about electricity he was the go-to guy. Seems only logical that as the years passed his interests would naturally expand into radio and television which seemed to have launched his career and to have facilitated his numerous accomplishments.
I do not think many people knew about this, but along about 4th/5th grade, he took accordian lessons and truely mastered the instument. Once he brought his accordian to school and gave a demonstration, and played a few tunes. All the kids in our class were amazed that anyone our age could play so well and effortlessly.
He also was a quick wit and had a great sense of humor. I do not know how he came up with the stuff that he did, but he could be hilarious. It was always unexpected and usually outrageous.Thanks for the laughs Bill!
--Gary