Billie Jean Cooley

Billie Jean Cooley, 77, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away October 24, 2010, at her home in Roberts after battling years of Alzheimer’s disease. Billie was born February 22, 1933 in Jellico, Tennessee to Elbert and Elizabeth Huddleston. She attended school in Jellico, TN; Akron, OH, and California. She was the second to the oldest of five children. She met the love of her life, Bennie W. Cooley, while living in California. It was love at first site since Bennie proposed to her on the same night they met. They were married January 24, 1951, and have shared 59 wonderful years together raising their family. She was an amazing cook and it was a real treat for family and friends to eat at her house. She loved to crochet, knit, and sew. She could take a piece of thread or yarn and work it into beautiful doilies, afghan or sweater. Every piece was perfect. Her hands were always busy. Even during the last months of her life while she was sleeping her hands would be moving as if she were crocheting or knitting another beautiful piece. It was obvious that her talents were not limited to the domestic kind – they stretched to the outdoors as well. She loved to hunt, fish, and golf with the love of her life and her children and grand-children. She played on a ladies golf league for years and won many tournaments. She was “Lady Bow Hunter of the Year” for several years and also caught her fair share of fish. It was focus and determination that made her one of the best in everything that she did. She was a loving mother and grandmother and leaves a legacy behind. She was blessed with six children: Randy (Wylma) Cooley of Roberts, Idaho; James (Linda) Cooley of Roberts, Idaho; Terry (Denise) Cooley of Roberts, Idaho; Bobbie (Diana) Cooley of Rigby, Idaho, Wanita (David) Hutchison of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Bennie Jr. (Connie) Cooley of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She has 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, and great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 30, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho with interment at the Market Lake Cemetery in Roberts. The family will visit with family and friends from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.