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In Memory

Billye Brown (Ross) - Class Of 1959

Billye Louise Ross

Friday, September 18, 2015

 

(Photo)
Billye Louise Ross

 

March 22, 1941 - Sept. 15, 2015

 

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Billye Louise Ross, 74, of Ellensburg, Washington went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, Washington. 

She was born on March 22, 1941, to Rev. William A. and Dorothy E. Brown in Oberlin, Kansas. The family moved to McCook, Nebraska, when she and her sister, Barbara Ann, were young. She graduated from McCook High School in 1959. Billye attended McCook Community College where she was a cheerleader and studied physical education. While at MCC she met Ted A. Ross and they were married on March 18, 1962. Throughout her life, following Ted's career, she lived in many beautiful places, including Beloit, Kansas; Crete, Nebraska; where their first daughter, Nicole Annette, was born; Storm Lake, Iowa, where their second daughter, Kirsten Kae, was born; Chicago Heights, Illinois; St. Peters and St. Charles, Missouri; Morrow, Georgia; Medina and Williamsfield, Ohio; and Kittitas, Washington. After her divorce, she lived in Ellensburg, Washington, for 32 years.

Over the years, her resume encompassed working at Dairy Crème in high school, a switchboard operator at the McCook Telephone Company, as a seamstress at Formfit, a sales associate at a dress shop, an Avon lady, a secretary for Sheffer Corp and Culligan Water Co, a night switchboard operator at Central Washington University, a secretary at Ellensburg Telephone Co, and a teller at Instant Cash.

Billye stayed involved in music everywhere she lived. She taught piano lessons and played piano for church worship services nearly every Sunday since she was in high school. She enjoyed sewing for her girls, family, and friends. Billye loved to travel and was a wonderful cook. She liked crossword puzzles and playing games with her grandkids. She was her grandkids biggest fan and attended many of their events.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother Timothy. 

She is survived by her two daughters, Nicole (Mark) Lipps of Louisville, Ohio; Kirsten (Gilbert) Hintz of Ephrata, Washington; five grandchildren, Dallas Hintz, Kendahl Hintz and Justin Hintz, all of Ephrata, Washington, Travis (Sabrina) Lipps of East Canton, Ohio; Makala (Nolan) Oakes of Massilon, Ohio; three great-grandchildren, Gabriella Lipps, Isaiah Oakes, and a baby Oakes on the way. Also a sister, Barbara (Stuart) Couse of Littleton, Colorado; a brother-in-law, Lynn Meyers of Valentine, Nebraska; one niece, and four nephews.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19th, 2015 at Family Christian Center in Ellensburg, Washington. Billye will be laid to rest with her parents in Oberlin.

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family and view the online tribute video at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com.