Billy Lyons
William 'Billy' Lyons is the historical figure whose murder by Lee 'Stag' Shelton on Christmas night 1895 in a St. Louis saloon became the foundation of the Stagger Lee legend, one of the most enduring African American folk ballads. According to legend, Billy Lyons snatched Stagolee's prized Stetson hat, and when he refused to return it, Stagolee shot him dead. Billy begged for his life, pleading that he had a wife and children, but Stagolee replied he should have thought of them before touching his hat. Billy Lyons is the catalyst figure whose death launched a thousand versions of the ballad