Billie Louise White

Hope is not a fragile wish or a dream that fades with time - it's an anchor of the soul, held secure by the unchangeable promises of God. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 We come together today to mix the bitter with the sweet; beginnings and endings, tears, joys, sadness and laughter. This is the journey of life and it is a precious gift. Billie Louise Byler was born May 4, 1922, to Lillian and Jake Byler Jr. at the Byler ranch near Dove Creek. Dr. E.O. Deal rode on horseback to the ranch to help bring her into the world. Her grandparents, Jake Anderson Sr. and Annie Catherine Byler and Essie Carney, were an important part of her childhood and she loved them dearly. Billie Louise attended school in Sherwood and enjoyed playing volleyball. She was glad when Sherwood finally beat Mertzon!!! Those who fill their years with love can count their age in blessings. Grandma, as she was affectionately called celebrated her 90th birthday with a big party in the Christoval Community Center surrounded by a host of family and friends. As a beautiful young woman of 16 years, Billie Louise married Andrew Louis Sawyer Jr. on July 31, 1938. They were married by the Rev. Marvin Carr, a favorite cousin. Together they built a home filled with love, loyalty, laughter and lots of hard work. They shared 53 wonderful years together, creating countless memories. They were blessed with five children - three daughters and two sons. Her faith in God gave her the strength to care for three small children while A.L. was serving in World War II. God was faithful and brought him home safely. God was there when her children were sick and she was afraid. It's true that some blessings last for a short time, but some are called "mothers" and they enrich us in all our lives...even after they are gone. For this is what the Lord says... "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:12, 13 Her home was always open to family and friends - a wonderful place to gather and play 42. Homemade rolls, fried chicken, pecan, chocolate, coconut and lemon pies were always found in her kitchen...each child had their favorite. She was involved in all of her children's activities, from preparing dinner for the football team before games, to finishing touches on cheerleading uniforms. Her busy hands cooked, canned vegetables from Grandpa's gardens and sewed the girl's dresses, but quilting was her favorite. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren received a quilt when they married and great-great-grandchildren have a quilt for their cribs. She wanted to cover them with her love. FAMILIES Families are like quilts Lives pieced together Stitched with smiles And tears colored with memories And bound by love Her love for her family kept no record of wrongs and she loved unconditionally. She was active in First Christian Church at Mertzon, Texas, and later in Christoval United Methodist Church. Remembering a wonderful mother is like counting the starts - just like when you think you've found all the reasons to thank God for her, you realize you've only begun. As we look back, we think of the faith that was expressed through the day by day living for her Lord, the love that was extended through the work of her hands in so many caring ways and the blessings that God brought to so many through her life. A.L. and Billie Louise moved to Fort Stockton, Texas, in the Fall of 1965. Her uncle, Buford Carney, gave them the Parkview Trailer Park to own and manage. They averaged 125 mobile home at one time, were happy there and made lifelong friendships. They moved to a beautiful farm located on the Concho River in Christoval, Texas, in 1978, and so enjoyed their large and growing family. A.L. passed away Sept. 9, 1991. Billie Louise married a childhood friend, Jr. White, in January 1993. They shared 13 years of happiness until his death in 2004. His family was very special to her. One of her greatest treasures was found in the accomplishments of her family. Those left to honor and cherish her memory are daughters Annie Lou Harris, husband Jimmy, the late Betty Sue Kolb and late husband Jess Kolb, Wanda Jean Zamorano and late husband E. H. Zamorano; sons Billy Louis Sawyer and wife Billie Faye, Clyde (Bo) Sawyer and wife Susan; stepchildren Loretta Ellis and husband Ray, Jackie Shaw and husband Johnny, Buster White and wife Teresa; grandsons the late Alan Harris, wife Julie, Robert Harris and wife Donna, Byron Sawyer and wife Belinda, Jody Everett and wife Bobbie, Nathan Sawyer and wife Dee Shea, Travis Sawyer and wife Lindsay; granddaughters Jana Oates and husband Monty, Blenda Aycock and husband David, Joleta Traylor (father Joe Everett) and husband Chapman, Surena Maresch (father Breat Gagneaux) and husband Stan, Kathy Zamorano, Bita Zamorano and special one Eric Wooldridge; great-grandsons Andrew, Aaron and Brian Harris, Brice Johnson and wife Amanda, Britton Sawyer, Hunter Aycock and wife Kelsey, Nash Traylor and special one Samantha Robinson, Hunter Wheeler, Johnny Dean and Damian Maresch, Ethan, Chy and mother Jeanne Everett, Jack Sawyer, Clyde Winston Sawyer, Even Brothers; great-granddaughters Avery and Annie Harris, Bailee Sawyer, Hollie Garcia and husband Matt, Monica Traylor, Jazlyn Maresch, Dannie Davison, Sage Everett, Lillian Sawyer; great-great-grandsons Camden, Mason, Xavien Harris, Braxton Johnson; and great-great-granddaughter Kate Garcia. She was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Ann Maxwell and husband Don. And she is survived by brother Carl Byler; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Even in sadness, we feel joy and pride in the legacy left by someone as dear to her family and friends. Her spirit will continue to shine, lighting the way for others, leaving all of us an example to follow and a remarkable life to remember with grateful hears, for memories are a precious source of healing and comfort. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4 The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. John Granaghan, the staffs of Regency House and Lighthouse Hospice for their excellent care and compassion. Memorials can be given to Sherwood Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 768, Mertzon, TX 76941; Christoval Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 193, Christoval, TX 76935; or Lighthouse Hospice of San Angelo 107 Southpark Drive, #E, Brownwood, TX 76801. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2013, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel, 435 W. Beauregard Ave., San Angelo, TX. Burial will follow at 5 p.m. in Sherwood Cemetery in Sherwood, Texas. Pallbearers are her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters. Family and friends can sign the online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.