After a hiatus of almost two years, Yellowstone finally made its triumphant return from Season 5, Part 2 on November 10, and thanks to a shocking on-screen death and a touching tribute card, the episode was one of the most emotional of the series yet.

At the end of season 5, episode 9, “Desire Is All You Need,” the words “In loving memory of Billy Klapper” flashed on the screen, leaving fans of Taylor Sheridan’s hit Western drama curious about Klapper’s relationship to the show.

Fans of the series will not only have a huge influence on Western culture, but will also be happy to hear that the legendary Billy Klapper actually made a heartwarming appearance in Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 9.

So who was Billy Klapper? And what was his role? Yellowstone? Without further ado, let’s explore the life and legacy of the legendary Loriner, plus his scene with Cole Hauser’s Rip Wheeler.

Who was Billy Klapper? Yellowstone? Season 5, episode 9 cameo and tribute card explained

For those who need a refresher or missed his appearance in Season 5 Episode 9, Billy Klapper guest-starred in a scene with Cole Hauser more than halfway through the episode. Yellowstone had Rip drive into a business with a “1319 Klapper Spurs Bits” sign outside, and inside Klapper was hard at work in a workroom full of tools, metals and machines.

When Rip greeted the professional (who was, of course, wearing a cowboy hat), Klapper informed him that he was no longer taking orders. Rip said he was there to “pick up a 27 for Lord Bridger, a cowboy from Montana,” and Klapper went looking for it. While picking up the order, Rip noticed a beautiful pair of stirrups on one of Klapper’s workbenches. He picked them up and said, “I noticed they’re all in one piece,” to which Klapper replied, “I didn’t remember people making them like that.” If you ever take orders. I would definitely love a pair.”

In response to Rip’s genuine admiration for his craftsmanship, Klapper said, “Then take them,” and he donated the stirrups for free before bidding Rip a nice day.

Klapper’s inclusion in the series was once again exciting Yellowstone Easter egg for real cowboy fans, because Klapper was a legendary loriner (bit and spur maker) in real life who recently died on September 10, 2024 at the age of 87.

In Klapper’s obituary: “After high school, Billy began working as a ranch hand at the Buckle L Ranch in Childress and later at the Y Ranch in Paducah. Billy spent a lot of time with the famous bit and spur maker Adolph Bayers and in 1966 he made his first few spurs. Demand for Billy’s spurs grew and he began making equipment full-time in 1968. He was well known in the ranching and cowboy industries and was one of the few bit and spur makers still making one-piece spurs. Billy’s bits and spurs are now collected worldwide. He made 682 different track patterns and 816 different bit patterns. His patterns have been used by bit and spur makers, but have never been duplicated. Billy created his legacy and changed the horse industry by listening to what the cowboys wanted and creating functional parts for their horses.

The obituary goes on to say that Billy and his wife Roberta Watson “enjoyed participating in the Pony Express Races, watching horse races and going to shows around the state.”

“Billy will be remembered as a good man, a friend to all, and most of all a true cowboy,” the obituary continues. “He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Billy has spent years putting the ‘Western’ into the Western heritage and now he is part of the heritage.”

In addition to a lasting legacy in Western culture, Klapper also leaves behind his daughters, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. And now thanks to his special Yellowstone outwardly, he and his work are also forever immortalized in the Sheridan verse. As they should be!

New episodes of Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 premieres Sunday at 8:00 PM ET on Paramount Network.