Ralph Steven Ashby, age 71, passed away at Dorris Miller VA Medical Center in Waco, Texas, on June 22, 2025. Steve was born on August 13, 1953, in Artesia, New Mexico. After spending some time farming in Dimmit, Texas, the family relocated to Burnet, Texas, in 1964.

Following his senior year of high school, Steve enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he proudly served his country from 1971 to 1974.

Steve was a hardworking man who held various occupations throughout his life. His primary trades included ranching (breaking horses), cotton farming, truck driving, and house framing. Ranching was his true passion; being with horses gave him a deep sense of purpose and identity. He was a cowboy at heart, and the ranching lifestyle was woven into his roots.

Next to horses, Steve’s greatest hobbies were fishing and working on muscle cars. If he wasn’t spending time with friends or siblings, you could find him under the hood of a car or sitting beside a body of water with a fishing pole in hand.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Curtis Ashby, in December 2018; his sisters Teresa Jean Ashby Byerly (July 2003) and Stella Dawn Ashby Dooley (July 2013); his brother Gary Wayne “G.W.” Ashby (December 2021); and his brother- in-law Walter Allen Dooley (May 2014). He was also preceded in death by his beloved maternal grandmother Estelle Brasher, and his paternal grandparents Curtice and Bernice Ashby.

He is survived by his mother, Hazel Jean Brasher Ashby; his two sons, Chad Ashby and Justin Ashby; four grandchildren — granddaughters Chasity Amanda Ashby and Caydence Marie Ashby, and grandsons Colton Blake Ashby and John Lawson Ashby; and two great-granddaughters, Skylar Rae-Ann Beadles and Hailie’Jo Denise Beadles.

Steve is also survived by his brother-in-law Jerry Byerly; nieces Michele Winkleman, Sherrie Clark, and Marlena Ashby; nephews Bryan Dooley, Cody Byerly, Curtis Ashby, and Shawn Ashby; along with three great-nephews, four great-nieces, and one additional great great-niece.

A memorial service honoring the life of Ralph Steven Ashby will be held on July 19th at 1 pm Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home.