Funds Drive Launched For Family Of N. Austin Teen Killed By Car

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — A fundraising campaign has been launched to help the family a teenager killed late September after being struck by a car.

The GoFundMe campaign is designed to help defray funeral costs. Billy DeWayne Brewster, 15, was killed on Saturday, Sept. 26, as he walked along the middle of the 600 block of East Yager Lane, police said. A vigil took place on Saturday with a funeral service scheduled on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The GoFundMe page explains that although the teen — who had just enrolled in high school — was afflicted with autism, the condition was not his defining trait. "He was kind and a loving soul," the fundraiser's organizer, family friend Shawna Cardona, wrote on the page. "His smile is still infectious and contagious."

Describing the teen's mom, Mia Brown, as "an amazing mother," the author wrote she was proud of her son and his accomplishments. "Please consider helping donate at this time to give Billy a proper funeral," Cardona wrote.

To that end, the fundraiser has a goal of $15,000 of which $6,093 had been raised from among 154 donors at last check.

Related story: Teen Killed In North Austin Car Collision

"He was only 15 years old and was taken too soon," Cardona wrote. "We’re touched by the generosity of any donation, thought, prayer or message for Billy."

Visitation at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N. Interstate 35 in Pflugerville, is scheduled Oct. 13 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. A celebration of life will follow on the same day from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Several people paid tribute to the young man, illustrating the powerful impact he had on others despite the brevity of his life. Among those tributes:

• "Billy you have always keep us smiling and very entertained while playing with Brendt and Victoria," Molly Hernandez wrote. "Your perfect soul earned a spot with God and I'm pretty certain you are sitting at His right hand! Know that we will always love you and your smile will never be forgotten!!"
• "Enjoy your heavenly reward for a beautiful life you lived here on Earth," Tansy Silva wrote in part. "Play non stop and ride lawn mowers to your heart's content. Never another worry, no anxiety, no jumbled-up words or Earthly cares. Sit on Jesus' lap and soak up his love. You are loved so very much."

Mia Brown with son Billy DeWayne Brewster. Photo via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner.