Billie J. Richards

Billie J. (Ator) Richards was born July 7, 1928 in a small 3-room farmhouse in west-central Illinois. She was originally predicted to be a boy and was pre-named Billy Jake after her paternal grandfather. Upon arrival, and seeing that they had a beautiful little girl, Guy and Evelyn Ator converted the name to Billie J.

Her adolescent years were spent in schools in Atlas and New Hartford, Illinois along with two siblings, a brother and a sister, after which she attended Pittsfield Community High School in Pittsfield, Illinois. Following high school, Billie married her high school sweetheart and together, they set about starting their family. To this union was born three beautiful children, Richard, Deborah, and Kimberly. A close-knit family, they traveled extensively on vacations and work assignments. Two of Billie’s favorite vacation spots were Jekyll Island, Georgia where she loved to walk on the beach at sunset, and her 50th Anniversary vacation with husband Bob to the Pacific Northwest where they traveled to Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia. She especially enjoyed The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. Bob’s work required several family relocations to Missouri, California, Iowa, Texas, and Maryland where she gladly followed, looking forward to the changes in countryside.

She was pre-deceased by both Guy, her father and Evelyn, her mother; her brother Gene; and her beloved son, Richard. She leaves to celebrate her life her husband Robert of 64 years; her two daughters, Mrs. Deborah McGowen and husband Mark and Mrs. Kimberly Glover and husband David; four grandchildren, Shane Richards, Jayme, Kelsey and Travis Glover; one great grandchild, Alexis Richards; as well as a sister, Rowena Yaeger of Pittsfield, Illinois as well as many close friends.

Billie was a very special person, having a tremendous amount of compassion and concern for the elderly. Hence, a good part of her life was spent in caring for this segment of the population in nursing homes, health care centers and homes. This gift from God endeared her to all who knew her. Memorial services will be 2:30pm Friday, March 25, 2016 at Baptist Village of OKC. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Central OK Humane Society, 7500 N. Western, OKC, OK 73116.