Billie Jo was born January 21, 1928 in Delhi, Oklahoma to Lloyd and Anna Fields. She graduated from Hobbs High School in Hobbs, New Mexico where she met her future husband. Billie married Richard (Richie) Keith Granath on February 9, 1947 in San Diego, California. The couple moved to Odessa in 1954 where her husband worked for Phillips Petroleum and later taught Jr. High for ECISD. Billie and Richie were blessed with a loving marriage of 62 years.
Billie Jo expressed her love to her family in many ways. She was a dedicated wife and as her sons would say, an awesome Mom. Her memory will be deeply treasured. Her smile was electric and she brightened our lives, bringing us joy with her rich sense of humor. Billie will be greatly missed by everyone that loved her. Billie was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church where she made many precious friends. She graduated from UTPB in 1975 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Billie taught second grade at ESISD’s Pease Elementary for 22 years. Billie so enjoyed seeing her former students, some staying in touch with her over all of the years after she was their teacher. Following retirement the couple divided their time between their homes in Odessa and Ruidoso, Nm. Ruidoso was a very special place for Billie and Richie having loved every minute of their time there as well the many treasured friendships that they formed. Billie Jo was a talented and creative artist with a distinctive style in her creations. She was artistic in many ways with an eye for beauty. She spent hours enjoying not only painting but many forms of artistry including sewing, stained glass and playing the piano.
Billie is preceded in death by her husband Richie and daughter Krista. Billie is survived by her son Gregory and his wife Monica of Dallas, TX and her son Philip and his wife Janie of Odessa, grandchildren Alissa Smith and her husband Eric of San Antonio, TX, Kelsey Granath and her husband Dani of Roundrock, TX and Luke Moore of McKinney, TX: four precious great grandchildren; as well as her brother Sam Fields and his wife Johnetta of Hobbs, New Mexico along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The Granath family would like to thank the excellent staff at Madison Medical Resort for their loving care of Billie while she resided there, especially during her last days.
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 20, 2019 with family present from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Hubbard Kelly. The funeral service will be held on Billie’s birthday at 11:00 am Monday, January 21, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Odessa, TX. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa, TX.
