Billie Faye Hartsfield

Mrs. Bille Faye Hartsfield, aged 91, passed away on January 24th in Fort Worth, Texas, of Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s related dementia. Her husband, Bill and children Pam and Jack, were with her. Billie was born in Minneola, Texas, on May 8, 1929 to parents Henry Don Wheeler and Lottie Artie (Lane) Wheeler.

Billie moved with her family to Houston as a teenager,  where she graduated from Milby High School and met her future husband, Bill. They both attended Howard Payne University, and graduated with degrees in Education. They married before their Senior year in university. They worked in San Angelo schools before moving to Snyder in the mid 1950’s, where they remained until 2003. They loved their lives in Snyder, where they enjoyed a close neighborhood group, including the Watkins, McCormicks, Floyds and Wessons, Illa Ruth Newton and Barbara Sojourner. There were ice cream socials, 4th of July breakfasts, and celebrations of each high school graduate. They also had many close friends from church, including the Lamberts, Godairs, the Ferrrells and many others. Billie(along with Bill) spent 2 summers working for her Master Degree, from Southwest Texas State in San Marcos. After teaching the 6th grade for many years, Billie went on to teach business and typing at Snyder High School. She took several students to State UIL Contest for typing. When she retired, she received many accolades from her students.

After retirement,  Billie and Bill travelled to Europe, and to Singapore to visit daughter Pam and her husband Phil...where they also traveled to Bali. They also saw many parts of the U.S., including the West coast and  the East Coast in fall, as well as traveling to Vancouver.  They enjoyed all their travels immensely, and made friends in England, when they stayed in a bed and breakfast. These friends kept in touch and eventually travelled to Snyder to visit.

Billie never missed an opportunity to  help others. She loaned money to those who asked her. She and Bill once stopped to help a family walking along the side of the road in the cold, and gave them $100.00, because they had no room in their car for the family. She donated time and money to those in need, and never asked for recognition.

Billie was a wonderful Mother and  grandmother. Christmas was magic for all of her family. She was a great cook and candy maker, and planned activities for the holidays, such as caroling and taffy pulling, cookie decorating, and games.  She showed her devotion in many ways, large and small. Once, when Pam was ill with the measles, it snowed and Billie went outside and built a snowman, facing the window, so Pam could see it.

When Billie and Bill moved to Fort Worth in 2003, they had the pleasure of getting to be a part of their last grandchild’s(Ryder) life, who was three at the time. They spent many hours with him and it was truly a gift for them. When Ryder was about to graduate, he asked them to participate in his robing ceremony, an honor for  both. They were fortunate to attend the college graduations and weddings of several granddaughters.  While in Fort Worth, they were members of Ridglea Presbyterian and St. Stephen’s Presbyterian. They also enjoyed visiting with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, most of whom lived nearby.

As Billie’s  disease progressed, they chose to move into independent, then assisted living. Through all the suffering, she kept her beautiful smile and while, she often couldn’t say your name, there was recognition in her eyes and her smile would light up her face. Her smile will always be missed.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Jean, LaNell, Mildred and her brother Raymond, who was killed in WWII. Billie is survived by her husband Bill, her children Pam and husband, Phil Ator; and her son Jack and wife, Gail Hartsfield. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren: Kristin, Mike, Katie, Sara, Rachel, Liz and Ryder and her great grandchildren:  Annie, Zoe, Piper, Gus, Mati, James and Lydia.

In the true nature of teaching, Billie donated her body to UNT Medical School for study. This had been her plan for many years. The family will hold a memorial at a later date.