Obituary for Billie Elaine Bekel
Billie Elaine Meyer Bekel (May 7, 1930 to February 24, 2026)
Billie was born in Billings, Montana to Virgil Meyer and Guinevere Horton Meyer. She was a 1948 graduate of Huntley Project High School. Billie married James W. Bekel, of Huntley, MT, on April 17, 1948. Billie and Jim had 4 children. Lonnie Bekel (Cindy) and their children Rebecca, Adam and Joshua Bekel; Peggy Bekel Hough (Glen) and their children Oren (deceased) and Jennifer; Linda Bekel Ward (Mike) and their children Spencer (Codi) and Casey (Caitlin) Ward; Kim Trautman (Greg: deceased) and their children Katie Rausch and Sarah (Charlie) Ziska. Eight great-grandchildren also survive her: Kaia, Jaden and Maelea Rausch, Brodie and Josie Hallock, Caleb and Gatlin Ziska and Radnor Ward.
Billie was raised by her grandparents, Robert and Rosie Horton, primarily in Pryor Creek and Huntley, Montana. Billie could be described as a bulldog in a feisty chihuahua body. She was the youngest and smallest of many male cousins and learned to hold her own from a young age. She took great pride in the fact that she could shoot and ride horseback from a young age and continued to do so until she passed. Billie was a full time farm and ranch partner in their Molt, MT ranch. She could drive a grain or cattle truck through downtown Billings and claimed she could park one anywhere. She was adept at animal doctoring and was an able assistant to Jim on carpentry or mechanical work.
Billie was also an accomplished stain glass artist. She taught herself glass fusing and sandblasting techniques. She and Jim designed, constructed and installed several church windows in the Huntley Project area, and they had many private consignments. Jim and Billie taught adult education stained glass classes for a number of years.
They retired along the Musselshell River in Lavina, where they met many wonderful friends and enjoyed many laughs. Jim and Billie loved dancing and attending Old Time Fiddlers’ jams in rural Montana. Billie lived alone and away from convenient services until she passed at age 95 and a half, following a brief illness! She was the steward of 2 burros, 1 old grey horse, a dog, 4 house cats and at least a dozen stray cats that stopped by for a meal. The animals of Golden Valley will feel her loss greatly along with her family and many friends!
As per Billie’s wishes, no services are planned at this time.
To plant a tree in memory of Billie Elaine Bekel, visit the Tribute Store.
Loading...
