Bettie L. Wolfe Willet

Bettie Lou Willet passed away peacefully Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City. Bettie was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Richard F. Thomsen and Lola Winder Thomsen on April 24, 1924. Her family moved to Texas in the dust bowl and depression era and she lived there until she graduated from Amarillo High School.

She pursued her college education at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where she studied art and became a cheerleader. Her studies were interrupted by WWII and she was not able to complete her degree. When the war ended, she married her high school sweetheart, George M. Wolfe on February 15, 1944 in Amarillo. George, with Bettie's undying love and support, had a distinguished career in the FAA and the US Department of State.

They had three children, daughter Rhodona Jane, who was called home at birth and sons Frederick (Rick) and Ron. They enjoyed a long, happy marriage and family life filled with travel and homes in Texas, New Mexico, Virginia, and Montreal, Canada before returning home to retire in Oklahoma City. While working in Montreal they were able to travel much of Europe including a special visit to the home of Bettie's father, Richard, in the town of Neumunster, Germany, for a wonderful visit with the German family she had never before met face to face.

George and Bettie were very active in the United Methodist Church and actively served the church and community wherever they were, Bettie is a lifetime member. George passed away in 1988 and several years later Bettie was reacquainted with a long-time family friend, John Fagen Willet, and they were married in December, 1994. They enjoyed a sunset marriage in their golden years and moved to Epworth Villa in 2002. Their marriage together was a blessing they fully enjoyed until John passed in February 2007.

Throughout her life Bettie held a deep Christian faith, which served as a foundation for her positive, upbeat, outlook on life. She found something positive in everyone and in any and every situation. With her sense of humor and gracious manner, she could always be counted on to bring joy and warmth to those around her. She was an accomplished watercolor artist winning many awards in local and state art shows. Bettie loved entertaining in her home, made the best chocolate chip cookies in the world, and loved her grandchildren dearly. “Grandma B” was loved by many and will be in our hearts now and forever.

Bettie was preceded in death by daughter Rhodona Jane, husband George M. Wolfe, son Rick Wolfe, grandson Hunter Ray Wolfe, husband John Willet, brother-in-law Hico Goyne, brother Albert Thomsen, and sister-in-law Jane Cunningham.

She is survived by son Ron (Sherri) and grandson Forrest Wolfe of Juneau, AK and grandchildren Christine and Wade Wolfe of Reston, VA, her sister, Marie Thomsen Goyne, brother Richard F. Thomsen (Aileen), niece Ronda Alexander, brother-in-law John Cunningham and family.

Friends may visit her at the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 Northwest Expressway through Sunday, December 9. Internment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday December 11th at the Brill Chapel at Epworth Villa, 14901 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73134. Flowers from the service will be distributed for others to enjoy in recognition of the Putnam City Methodist Church program: Flowers for Shut-ins which she helped to start.