Willa Mae Blakeman

A memorial service for Billie Blakeman will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011 at New Life Wesleyan Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Pastors Wes Smith and Isaac Smith officiating. Mrs. Blakeman, age 87, of Gillette, Wyoming died on Wednesday March 9, 2011, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital.Willa Mae Blakeman, known to her family and friends as Billie, was born in Cherryvale, Kansas on October 11, 1923, the daughter of William and Ethelyn (Hoover) Brockman. She was raised in Texas by her grandmother from the age of two after her mother passed away. As a teenager Billie was proud to sing with her sister in their church. She worked at a Jewelry Store in Laramie, Wyoming from 1939 to 1945. On April 22, 1945 Billie married Bill Blakeman and together the couple had two sons. They lived in McFadden, Wyoming, where Billie worked for the school district, then Moran, Wyoming where she and Bill managed the Heart Six Ranch. In 1972 the couple began to manage Astoria Hot Springs pool and campground in Jackson, Wyoming. After her husband passed away in 1980, she continued to manage Astoria on her own until 1990, when she came to Gillette. Billie was an active member of New Life Wesleyan Church and in her later years she considered prayer to be her ministry. In her free time she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and doing crafts including the "Scrubbies" she made which were very popular with her friends and acquaintances. Billie also liked playing Bridge and other card games with her friends. She loved decorating and traveling, especially her trips to Mexico and Europe. Billie is survived by her sons: Michael C. (Deanna) Blakeman of Kilgore, Texas, and Randall K. (Cathy) Blakeman of Gillette, Wyoming; nine grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Darlene Garrett, her brother Lloyd Brockman, and by her husband Bill Blakeman.Memorials may be given in Billie's name to benefit the Gideon's. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences can be sent via the internet at www.gilletttememorialchapel.com. Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716