Billie Joyce Oakley

Billie was born on December 28, 1943, in Enid, Oklahoma to John Quincy and Helen Viola Dailey Cather. She attended elementary school in Enid, OK and in Stanford, MT before moving to Fairfield, MT where she graduated from Fairfield High School. It was here that she met her forever love, Barry Oakley and they were married June 9, 1961.

They raised five children together and once they were all in school, she began working part-time at Eisenman Seed Company. She then went to work for Coast-to-Coast Hardware and in 1980 she began working for 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative where she retired after 20 years.

Following retirement, Billie & Barry took to the highway traveling across the U.S. in their RV which she loved dearly. In 2011 they made Mesa, AZ their permanent home.

Billie was a member of the United Church of Christ in Fairfield and was very strong in her Christian faith. She loved to read and was active in her communities where she enjoyed golfing, playing cards, (she looked forward to her daily games of cribbage with Barry), knitting, quilting, and writing clubs. She was a loyal friend and was always up for a fun time.

Her greatest joy was her family. She was a wonderful loving mother and grandmother, and she cherished her time with her grandchildren attending many of their sporting events and other activities. She will be sorely missed by her family but is now reunited with her youngest daughter Rene’.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Barry, of Mesa; children, Becky Heil (Greg) of Billings, MT; Raym Oakley (Amy) of Fairfield, MT; Randy Oakley (Carol) of Hampton, TN, and Rhonda Tigner (Ward) of Worland, WY; 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Rene’ Lynne; a sister, Elsie Meshew; three brothers, Virgil, Delmas and Douglas Cather.

At Billie’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, Fairfield, MT. In lieu of flowers the Oakley Family requests donations for St Jude's Children's Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Oakley family.