Billie J. Martin

Billie J. Martin, age 88, of Arlington, Texas passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at Methodist Mansfield Hospital in Mansfield, Texas. Born December 19, 1934 in Calera, Oklahoma to Bill and Murrell Bush. She met her first husband, Dwane Casteel of Clarendon, Texas. They started their family with four children, moving around the Lone Star State.

After divorcing, Billie settled in Dallas, Texas where she met James White at Hinckley Leather Company. They married and had one child of their own, with James adopting Billie’s four other children. Billie later worked as a bartender before accepting a position at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) where she spent many years and established several long-lasting, special friendships.

Billie shared many shenanigans over the years—especially with her best friend, Florence Eversen. Halloween was their favorite holiday. She and Florence stayed close through cards and calls even when they were separated by different states.

After Billie and James divorced, she later met Ronnie Martin. With Ronnie’s three children from a previous marriage, they became a blended family. After they divorced, Billie pursued a career as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service where she worked until she retired.

Billie was caring, thoughtful, outrageously funny, and had an open-door policy for everyone. She eagerly took strays into her home and heart—humans as well as a variety of animals. She especially loved her dogs. She was a strong-willed, independent woman who didn’t have a shy bone in her body.

Every stranger she encountered was soon welcomed into her wide circle of friends.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Murrell Bush, and her oldest son, Tim White. Surviving to cherish her memory are her brother, Eddie Bush, her daughter Karla Miller (Stan), her sons Bobby White, Jimmy White (Patsy), Shannon White, and Tim’s widow, Angie. Her grandchildren Matt, Luke, Justin (Kendra), Kristen (Ryan), BJ (Nikole), Heather, James, Ashley, Brittany (Hunter), Alex (Paige), and Timothy. Great-Grandchildren Ben, Lainey, Wesley, Kylie, Kohen, Skylar, Isabelle, Amelia, Olivia, and Valerie.

Billie is also survived by many more loved ones extending far beyond family—in-laws and lifelong friends, both young and old.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not ]want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the [c]still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.

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