Dorothy Jean Becker

Dorothy Jean Becker, a devoted mother, wife and grandmother whose 71-year-unshakeable marriage with Bill Becker was worthy of a best-selling novel or Oscar-worthy Hollywood script, died Nov. 30 at her home surrounded by family.

Dorothy was 91. She passed away after a long illness that failed to rob her of her beauty, smile and good humor.

Growing up in the tiny town of Mart, Texas, where she was born on Aug. 26, 1934, Dorothy met the great love of her life at a party on Halloween night. As head cheerleader at Mart High, she resembled Jeanne Crain, a beautiful, popular screen star of the era, and had no shortage of suitors. But when Billy “Ace” Becker, quarterback of the Panthers football team, walked into her life, everybody else faded into the background.

The couple wed July 3, 1954, at Mart’s Grace Lutheran Church. After graduating from Baylor University, Bill served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, piloting C-119 Flying Boxcars during the Cold War.

Immediately after Bill received his commission, an adventure of a lifetime began for the young couple from a town of only 2,000. It started with having to cut their honeymoon short to answer the Air Force’s call for Bill to be stationed in North Carolina.

Several assignments at bases crisscrossing the U.S. followed, a period during which Dorothy gave birth to their two sons.

Then came the most exciting part of their journey – something unimaginable for two kids from a one stoplight Texas town – a whirlwind order to Europe.

In the darkest hours of a cold, snowy December night, they flew into Munich, West Germany. On their laps during the 10-hour flight were their two boys, one of whom was just 2 months old. Finding coveted base housing in a country still struggling to recover from World War II was difficult. But thanks to a serendipitous meeting with a kindly, older German woman who immediately fell in love with the couple and their boys they secured lodging with Mrs. Berger.

In West Germany, Dorothy and Bill took advantage of the opportunity to soak up the beauty, history and culture of Europe. Oktoberfest in Munich enthralled, as did many trips, including ones to Paris, Vienna and Dorothy’s favorite, which she affectionately called “her castle”, Bavaria’s famed fairytale-like Neuschwanstein.

After several years as a devoted Air Force wife, Dorothy worked tirelessly to raise her children, which now included a daughter, while Bill worked for JCPenney as a store manager throughout Texas. Preceding all their many moves, which occurred every three or four years, came the couple’s tradition of Bill pulling out a map before Dorothy and dramatically dropping a finger onto the city of their new home.

Throughout their journeys, Dorothy’s love for her husband and family was steadfast and her focus always on them, which also included caring for her elderly mother. In their free time, Dorothy and Bill enjoyed traveling, with cherished memories forged on trips throughout the U.S., Canada, and back to Europe. Among her favorites were ones to national parks and to Mackinac Island, Mich., setting for one of her top movies, “Somewhere in Time.”

But their hearts never strayed far from Mart, where they returned frequently to visit family and to cheer on their alma mater, including witnessing several exciting, memorable state football championship victories by her “mighty Mart Panthers.”

Dorothy was a longtime member of Concordia Lutheran Church, where she and Bill made many friends and they both did volunteer work. She also had a reputation among family and friends for her cooking and baking skills, often relying on recipes passed down from her mother and mother-in-law.

Dorothy also was known for having unyielding, distinct tastes. Her signature color aqua, a cold Dr. Pepper, a flute of champagne, dinner at the revolving restaurant atop the Tower of the Americas: These were among her “My Favorite Things,” which conjures memories of something else that always delighted her, watching “The Sound of Music.”

Dorothy was a strong, intelligent, successful woman. She graduated from Mart High in just three years and was a lifelong voracious reader who also enjoyed any kind of puzzle that tested her problem-solving skills. She chose to devote her life to her family, but she easily could have been a success in whatever field she would have pursued.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Richard Sandig Sr., and Martha Olivia Morris Sandig; brother, Willie Richard “Bill” Sandig Jr.; father-in-law, Henry Becker, and mother-in-law, Carrie Mullens Becker. She is survived by her husband, Bill; children, David Becker and wife, Terry; Keith Becker and wife, Diane; Beth Becker-Orsborn and husband, Tom; grandchildren, Jennifer Becker; Ryan Becker; Keith Becker Jr. and wife, Laura; Chris Becker and wife, Abby; and Kyle Becker and wife, Samantha; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Joyce Sandig; and Cali, Dorothy’s beloved granddog.

Visitation, funeral service and graveside service will be held Friday, Dec. 19. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Rd. Funeral service is set for 11 a.m. at Concordia. Graveside service will begin at 2:15 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.

The family thanks caregivers, Isabel, Maria, Ann-Marie, Stacy; and Mindy and Victoria and the staff of Embrace Hospice.