Charlotte “Billie” Willetta Bedegrew, born February 8, 1916, in Monterey Park, California, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the remarkable age of 108. She was the beloved daughter of Charles and Elnora Johnson, and shared her life with three sisters: Mary Caroline, Josephine Helen and Elizabeth “Betty” Alice. Billie went on to marry Melvin Raymond Bedegrew and together they had three children: Robert Melvin, Thomas Raymond and Jill Susan. Throughout the years, Billie’s family continued to grow to include her grandchildren: Deborah Kim Bedegrew, Tyron “Ty” Lee (Katherine) Bedegrew, Jason Kenneth Lange, Wendy Kay Lange, Tad Raymond (Paige) Bedegrew and great grandchildren: Texas Wade Bedegrew, Courtney Michelle Bedegrew, Hayley Rose Dombrowski, Jessie Dawn Dombrowski, Braden Jason Judge, Trevor Raymond Bedegrew, and Rowen Marie Bedegrew.
Billie’s enduring legacy resides within her surviving daughter, Jill, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were blessed to have Billie in their lives for many years. Those who knew and loved Billie can attest to her extraordinary ability to make those she came across feel at ease and special when in her company. Even the animals who were lucky enough to cross her path always benefitted from the copious amounts of “table scraps” she would throw their way when nobody else was looking. Billie thoroughly enjoyed a delicious box of See’s Candies at Christmas, a stiff 7 and 7 during cocktail hour, and cooked a mean Swedish Meatball dish when the occasion called for it. Even in her later years, Billie never missed an opportunity to doll up and look her best, even if she had no events to attend. Her unwavering self-discipline and poise inspired those around her to strive for the same.
Over the course of her marvelous life, Billie witnessed two World Wars; two global pandemics; the rise and fall of empires; and the advent of television, the internet, commercial air travel, and even the introduction of sliced bread (first sold for mass production in 1928). Amidst this ever-changing world, one constant remained: Billie’s ability to create enduring memories of love and happiness for those fortunate enough to know her.
In lieu of flowers, Billie’s family invites you to honor her memory by doing something you truly enjoy and share it with others, just as she did throughout her life. And if you’re moved to share stories of joyful moments spent with Billie, please feel free to do so.
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