Billie Jean Hollis

She was born on July 5th, 1930 to William Chester Abel and Annie Mae Powell in Wichita Falls, Texas. She married Wilburn Delain (Sam) Hollis on June 3rd, 1948, in Lubbock, Texas. Her Dad worked in the oilfields of Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. She attended 4 different schools in the first grade. Billie was valedictorian of the 1946 senior class of Kermit High School.

She attended Texas Tech for two years before marrying Sam. She went to work to support him while he finished school. They moved to Levelland, Texas where daughters Lynn Ann & Kelly Sue were born. In 1957, they moved to Andrews, Texas. Sam "retired" from teaching and they opened Sam Hollis Studio in 1959. Billie was Sam's partner in the business & worked behind the scenes to make sure everyone's portraits were perfect. She was a Girl Scout leader, 4-H Leader and avid supporter of all of her daughters' activities. She was an accomplished seamstress and tailor.

When they moved to Midland, Texas in 1970, she continued to work side by side with her husband at Sam Hollis Photography. She was a member of the Women's Health Club at the Midland YMCA where she worked out and taught aerobics. She & Sam enjoyed country & western dancing, especially with Charlotte & Newnie Ellis. She and her friend Bonnie Cain worked at Casa de Amigos teaching sewing. Sam & Billie had a house at Lake LBJ where they enjoyed boating and jet-skiing with family and friends.

Billie is predeceased by her husband, Sam, her parents, her brothers Malcolm Abel, Wayne Abel, Donald Abel, and a sister, Bernadine Abel.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynn McElmurry, Kelly Hollis and grandson Will McElmurry, brother-in-law, Ronnie Hollis and wife Sarita, nieces and nephews, Claudia and Larry Tomlinson, Joe and Cindy Abel, Donald and Rica Abel, Bill Abel, Cindy and James Brunson, Connie Abel, and Beth and Grant Durtschi. Her wonderful caregivers, Kristi, Bobette and Nelda also survive her.

A visitation will be held today, Sunday, November 20th, from 2-4 pm at Ellis Funeral Home in Midland, Texas. There will be a private graveside service held on Monday, November 21st at Resthaven Memorial Park, officiated by Reverend Jan Reed of St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Midland.