Billie Witt

Billie Louise Woolsey Witt, formerly of Roswell, New Mexico, passed away on Monday February 29, 2016 at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Garland, Texas. Billie had been living with her daughter Cathy Aleene and her husband Victor Betancur in Sachse, Texas since August 2009.

Billie was born on August 26, 1924 in Caddo, Stephens County, Texas to Welch Thurston Cox and Cordelia Adelaide Strader Cox. Billie was 12 years old in 1936 when the Cox family moved to Roswell, New Mexico from Quanah, Texas. Billie lived on the Cox family homestead northeast of Roswell until they moved into Roswell residing at 1108 S. Lea Street. Billie attended Roswell schools graduating from Roswell High School on May 29, 1942.

Billie married Albert Chapman Woolsey, on May 30, 1942 in Roswell, New Mexico. She and Albert were married just twelve hours after her high school graduation. They were happily married for 35 years until Albert's untimely passing on December 16, 1977.

Billie was a life long member of Roswell's Trinity United Methodist church where she was a member of the choir, taught Sunday school classes and served as the church secretary for many years. Billie was also an active member of the New Mexico P.E.O. Sisterhood for many years. Aside from her volunteer work at Trinity and P.E.O. she was also an accomplished violinist and played Second Violin with the Roswell Symphony Orchestra (RSO) as well as working on and serving with the RSO Guild. Billie was a charter violinist of the RSO, first joining the symphony when it was formed in 1959.

Billie worked as a receptionist for the law firm of Hinkle, Bondurant, Cox and Eaton at its Roswell, NM home office. Billie's career with the firm began on her birthday, August 26, 1966 and spanned 35 years until she retired on March 28, 2001. Her highly personable and cheerful character and excellent organizational skills were an exceptional fit for the critical "meet and greet" responsibilities of her position with the firm. Billie was viewed as the "face" of the law firm by most of its clientele and was a highly regarded and valued employee by the firm.

Billie was remarried six years after Albert's passing to James (Jim) Howard Witt of Boston, MA. They were married for 25 years when Jim passed on August 27, 2009 in Roswell, New Mexico. Billie was also preceded in death by her parents, Welch Thurston Cox and Cordelia Adelaide Strader-Cox, and her siblings, Welch Thurston Cox Jr. of Orting, WA, Betty Lorraine and her husband Roger Gibson of Seattle, WA, Shirley Sue and her husband Weldon Crawford of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter Miranda (Randi) Woolsey of Bremerton, WA and San Diego, CA; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Irving Wilbur Woolsey and Maude Sara Chapman Woolsey of Roswell, NM.

Billie is survived by her three sons and daughter, and their spouses; David Chapman Woolsey and his wife Barbara Farber Woolsey of Clovis, NM, Richard Lewis (Dawn) Woolsey of Bremerton, WA, Douglas William (Julie) Woolsey of Pahoa HI, and Cathy Aleene Woolsey Betancur (Victor) of Sachse, TX; her grandchildren Deborah Jean (Matt) Upton of Divide, CO, Brian Chapman Woolsey of Temple, TX, Nadia Renee Betancur (Jason) Hubbard of Garland, TX, Victor Alan Betancur of Sachse, TX, Amber Lohilani (Alvin Johnson) Woolsey of Pahoa, HI; and great-grandchildren, Rosalie Woolsey Meyers of San Diego, CA, Zach Ryan and Zoey Apple Upton, Jairus, Jacob, and Joseph Woolsey, Joshua James, Jacob Alan, and Joel Alexander Hubbard, Aiden L'olani Woolsey; and her nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family will be greeting friends and relatives at a memorial service for Billie at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1413 S. Union Ave., Roswell, NM at 1:30 PM on Saturday March 26, 2016. Reverend Glenn Thyrion, Pastor at Trinity, will officiate the service. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery, 3101 S. Main St., Roswell, NM. Family and friends are invited to gather at Trinity United Methodist Church following the graveside memorial for fellowship and a meal.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, New Mexico Chapter, 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111 or to Roswell Trinity United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the personal care of LaGrone Funeral Chapel and Roswell Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.lagronefuneralchapel.com.

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