Help Billy Haynes Rebuild Barn Home Fire Loss.
Donation protected
After only one day in California to visit us for Christmas, Billy’s Texas neighbors called to report the Barn he lived in with his 3 beloved cats was ON FIRE!
Billy is 82 yrs old. His barn home was built by our dad, Bill Haynes, back in 1980. He built it by himself as a labor of love. Over time, the barn became an icon,
a cherished place known as “Curious Angle Ranch” after a roofer found it wasn't quite square. For all these years it was a wonderful living space for Billy and a destination location for many a poet, musician, philosopher, stranger, family member or friend. And, if you know Billy, you know “The Barn” is part of who he is.
The Waxahachie Fire Department was able to save the structure, but much of the living space inside is now charred rubble.
Tragically, one of the cats, the beautiful calico Mama Serena Willowmina, was rescued but didn’t survive. She was Billy’s true love.
Kali and Shiva, her siblings are freaked out survivors, like Billy.
As you can imagine, He is dealing with a great deal of turmoil and grief. He has nowhere else to live so Billy is still in the Barn, staying in a small area that didn’t burn. His clothes, possessions and comfort are gone. He is a Prince in a Wounded Castle.
He’s trying to calm his cats. They still want to live and sleep in the fire debris where his burned bed is.
Among the first tasks, Billy is trying to get utilities functioning as winter comes to Texas.
A photographer and former photojournalist for the Waxahachie Daily Light, Billy’s life was captured in images—and now, two hard drives, a lifetime of work and memories, 7,500 photos, and 40 videos, have also been lost in the fire.
The reality is Billy has no insurance and I am shocked to learn he survives on $1077 a month of Social Security. That's for everything. He is running on empty, financially. That’s why we set up this GoFundMe, hoping to raise funds to help repair the fire damage. He has no funds to do this.
Any contribution, big or small, would make a huge difference in helping Billy physically and emotionally survive this loss. Thank you. Love and blessings.
Organizer and beneficiary
Gary and Valarie Haynes
Organizer
Waxahachie, TX
Billy Haynes
Beneficiary