Billy Klapper: The true life of the legendary spur maker celebrated in Yellowstone
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Yellowstone has made its comeback on Paramount+ for the beginning of its last season, and the premiere included a tribute to Billy Klapper.
The show's comeback, which was developed by Taylor Sheridan, has sparked a lot of debate because of the missing lead actor Kevin Costner. He exited the series amidst speculation about conflicts behind the scenes, as he wanted to focus on his personal project, the film series Horizon.
In the opening episode of season 5B, there's a moment where Rip, portrayed by Cole Hauser, visits a saddler to buy a horse bit for Lloyd, played by Forrie J. Smith.
At the loriner's shop, Rip gazes at a beautifully made pair of spurs, fashioned from one continuous piece of metal. These spurs were crafted by the late Billy Klapper, a loriner who was highly respected in the cowboy and ranching world for his exceptional skill and artistry.
The loriner shown in the scene is actually Klapper himself, who passed away earlier this year on September 10 at the age of 87. While the episode aired, the official Yellowstone X/Twitter account declared, “Billy Klapper is a LEGEND!”
Klapper started crafting spurs in 1966 after learning the trade from renowned spur maker Adolph Bayers while working as a ranch hand. His skill and products quickly gained popularity, leading him to pursue this craft as his full-time career.
Klapper, originally from Pampa, started his career at the Buckle L Ranch in Childress before moving on to the Y Ranch in Paducah.
He wed his wife Roberta in 1973, and they stayed together until she passed away in 2021.
The obituary stated: "Billy will be remembered as a kind individual, a loyal friend, and, above all, a genuine cowboy. His family and friends will feel his absence profoundly. For many years, Billy embodied the essence of western culture, and now he's become a lasting part of that legacy."
In an interview with Western Horseman magazine prior to his passing, Klapper revealed, “I reached a point where I had so many orders that I would either have to stop making bits and spurs or give up cowboying altogether.”
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"I might need to put in some extra effort with this, but I figured I could earn more money and keep warm during the winter. I enjoyed being a cowboy, but it doesn't pay well, and I had a family to support. It felt like I was just getting by with each paycheck."
