Billie Gail (McMullen) Goff

Billie Gail was born on April 16, 1940 in Waco to Bill and Juanda (Walters) McMullen. She lived in McGregor most of her life and married Merle Lee Goff on October 15, 1983. They celebrated over 31 wonderful years together. Ms. Goff was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

She was a life long member of the First Christian Church of McGregor. Billie's great grandmother, Ida Ford Oglesby, was a founding member of the church. Her grandmother, Aileen Walters (Grannie to everyone), was a long time matriarch of the church and her mother, Juanda, and her aunts, JeneCarolyn Mooney and Ida Kaelin, were the last remaining members before the church closed.

Billie graduated from McGregor High School in 1958. During her high school years, she was head cheerleader for the Bulldogs, and received a number of honors including Miss Freshman and Halloween Carnival Princess. She began lessons with Ms. J. S. Halley as a young girl and was her most long term student. Ms. Halley instilled the love of poetry and words which led to Billie's special talent for writing poetry.

In 1958 Billie married Tommy Oswald they had three children. She worked at Rocketdyne and for the McGregor school district. She was the first woman elected to the McGregor school board. Billie and Tommy then moved to Iola, Texas where Tommy managed a ranch and Billie was the school secretary. After moving back to McGregor, Billie earned her real estate broker's license and sold residential and commercial real estate throughout the Waco area. She enjoyed playing softball and coached the girls softball team.

In 1983, Billie married Merle Lee Goff. During their 31-year marriage they owned and operated B&M Vacuum Company serving the Central Texas area. She enjoyed meeting the people in all the small towns while selling. They enjoyed traveling, playing pool, visiting casinos and family gatherings.

Survivors include two daughters, Kelly Oswald of Dallas and Julie Neal Pledger and husband, Craig of Lorena; one son, Richard Oswald of McGregor; five grandchildren; Richard Oswald, Jr., Tammy Hughes, Amy Gonzales, Sean Neal and Jordan Neal; one sister, Rita Armstrong and husband Jim of Houston; two brothers, Jerome McMullen of Liberty Hill and Rick McMullen of McGregor; stepchildren Kelley Updegraff, Erin Canterbury, Merle Goff, Jr., Gordon Goff, Mike Goff and James Robert Lynch.

Ms. Goff was a loving mother, wife, sister and trusted friend, as well as a gifted poet. She will be missed all the days of our lives.