Wilma "Billie" Faye Lewis

Billie was born on October 4, 1930, in Three Sands, Oklahoma, to Joseph Everett Soward and Lola Pearl Kirkendall Soward. She was raised in the small oil town of Three Sands and Tonkawa, Oklahoma.

At the age of 14, Billie learned and worked at the local Bush and Dittos Drug Store. After graduating from Tonkawa High School in May 1948, she married Kay “Dick” Richard Lewis on June 11, 1948. Together they had three children: two daughters, Lana Kay Lewis Casida and Sally Ann Lewis Gowitt, and one son, Kenneth Wayne Lewis.

The family later moved to Ventura, California when Richard changed careers and began working for Shell Oil Company. While living in Ventura, Billie worked three nights a week at Ventura College, typed manuscripts from home, and sold Avon.

In 1962, Richard was transferred to Coalinga, a small town in California’s Central Valley. Billie went to work part time at the local May Drug Store, where she remained until her children were out of school.

Billie and Dick retired in 1984 and traveled across the United States in their fifth-wheel trailer with friends.

Billie had a passion for the art of oil painting and was a longtime member of the Coalinga Art Association. The Art Association had a small gallery in downtown Coalinga where members sold a variety of arts and crafts. Billie received numerous ribbons for her paintings, including a Best of Show. She also shared her love of painting by teaching children’s painting classes at the Coalinga-Huron Recreation Center in Coalinga.

In July 2019, Billie and Dick moved to Arizona with their daughter Sally and her family to be closer to their grandchildren.

Billie is survived by her three children: Lana Casida of Conroe, Texas; Kenneth Lewis and his wife Julie, of Bakersfield, California; and Sally Gowitt and her husband, Rick, of Litchfield Park, Arizona.

She is also survived by six grandchildren: Aaron Casida and his wife, Trisha of Paso Robles, California, Amy Poff and her husband, Tim, of Conroe, Texas, Jennifer Lindner and her husband, Bryce, of Houston, Texas, Holly Wilson and her husband Chris, of Bakersfield, California, Alyssa Gowitt, of Litchfield Park, Arizona and Shane Gowitt and wife Lia, of Goodyear, Arizona.

Billie was also a beloved great-grandmother to twelve great grandchildren: Cade Casida, Kyla Casida, Dylan Poff and his wife, Mallory, Tristan Poff and his fiancée, Stella, Jack Townsend, Jenna Townsend, Jenson Lindner, Alex Wilson, Lauren Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Lucas Gowitt and Lyla Gowitt.

She was also blessed with one great-great grandchild, Elena Poff, and another great-great granddaughter, Olivia Poff, soon to arrive.

Billie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kay “Dick” Richard Lewis; her son-in-law, Kenneth Casida; her father, Joseph E. Soward; her mother, L. Pearl Soward; her sisters, Tess Harris, Doris Cochran and Joaquin Douglass; and brother, Eugene Soward.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Texas in November 2026. Billie will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends for her creativity, her love of family, and the many lives she touched throughout her 95 years.