Billy "Ted" Mapes

Billy "Ted" Mapes moved from this life to the room prepared for him by his Heavenly Father on May 14th, 2025 at the age of 81, in Bullard, Texas.
Ted was born in New Boston, Texas to the late Julius Edward and Sallie Byrd Mapes.
He had two older sisters, Patsy Mapes Mullins, deceased of Mineola, Texas, and Melba Mapes Diamond, deceased of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
He was raised in Yantis, Texas and graduated from Yantis High School in 1961. He attended Kansas State College and did his graduate work at SMU in Dallas, being a 1971 graduate in banking and finance. His working career was two-fold. He started in the banking industry with the Sulphur Springs State Bank, culminating as President of North Texas Bank in Lewisville, Texas. After 20 years in banking, he focused his career on the oil and gas industry. First as a Petroleum Landman, then as partner with John M. Eiche, Jr. in the land brokerage business of Eiche, Mapes and Company, Inc., from which he retired in 2010. That career move endeared him with lifelong friends and co-workers, John Eiche, Jr., Loren D. Bennett, W.C. (Bill) Johnson, and Donald V. Garrett.
On July 29, 1978 Ted married the love of his life, Charlott Robinson Anderson who has been faithfully by his side and in his heart for 46+ years. Their greatest joy after retirement was transitioning between their Eagle's Bluff home, their Bigfork, Montana home, and their Miramar Beach, Florida home. Those ten years were some of the happiest times for Ted and Charlott.
Together they have the following five (5) children, all of whom survives him: Shelly Mapes Auringer, (David) of Canton, Texas, Bryan Marcus Anderson, (Dianna) of Crosby, Texas, Kimberly Sue Mapes, (Stephanie) of Arlington, Texas, Jarrett Lee Anderson, (Lisa) of Waco, Texas, and Christopher Grant Mapes, (Brandi) of Tyler, Texas.
Early on, with the birth of their first grandchild, Charlott and Ted were dubbed with the grandparent names of Mimi and Pipi, which brought many laughs from so many people. Together they were blessed with fourteen (14) living grandchildren, all of whom survives him, and one deceased grandchild: Amy Auringer Pugh (Jeremy), April Auringer Hanson (Zach), Alyssa Auringer Long (Stuart), Ashley Burdue (deceased), Paige Anderson, Lauren White Mangum (Caleb), Nathan White (Amy), Aidan Anderson, Eli Anderson, Brianna Mapes, Anniston Mapes, Dexter Mapes, Scarlett Mapes, Maggie Graham, and Alex Graham. Additional blessings are their nine great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
As Ted aged, he had bouts with cancer on several occasions, Stage 4 Merkel Cell Carcinoma in 1999, Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2017-2019, and Malignant Melanoma in 2020 and 2022. In 2024 he was diagnosed with a need for heart valve replacement and two heart stints. This is said to emphasize the great change in Ted's heart and soul, giving all of the credit to God for his recovery from these deadly afflictions. His greatest desire was to share with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and others, his walk of faith and his incredible experience with God during his sickness. Enjoying writing, he memorialized his experience in his songs, poems, and essays. His passion became the creation of a sacred space for worship in his home community of Eagle's Bluff. The results of God's work there is apparent in what is now "The Chapel on Eagles Bluff", a non-denominational chapel dedicated to the spreading of God's word now and for decades to come.
With unwavering confidence and trust in the words of Jesus – "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." (John 11:25) To all of my family and friends, could I get a resounding "AMEN"?
Friends are invited to a celebration of life and visitation period from 6pm to 8pm, Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at the Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, at 1:30 pm, at The Chapel on Eagles Bluff, under the direction of The Stewart Family Funeral Home. Officiating will be The Very Reverend M. L. Agnew, Jr., and Reverend John Redfearn, with interment being in the Rose Lawn Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: William H. (Bill) Robinson, David Auringer, John M. Eiche, Loren D. Bennett, W. C. (Bill) Johnson, Donald V. Garrett. Honorary Pallbearers: Links Players Bible Study members.
If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to The Chapel on Eagles Bluff, 613 Eagle's Bluff Blvd N., Bullard, TX 75757 or Mentoring Alliance, 1909 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75701.