On a cold, wintery January day, January 22, 1924 to be exact, Willamae Gould entered this world at the farmhouse of her mother and father (“Lottie” Markman Gould and Lloyd Gould) near Bone Gap, Illinois. As Willamae grew up, she spent much of her time between her parents’ and her maternal grandparents’ homes. Her grandfather was a shoemaker and she spent many hours in his shoe shop, helping wherever she could, learning the details of what goes into making a good shoe. Besides doing well in school, she played the piano, sang in her school and church choirs, and was highly involved with activities at the Moravian Church. She graduated from high school in 1942 and began nurses training at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. In college, she developed a deep friendship with six other young women also training to become nurses. It was among this great group of friends that she was given the nickname, “Billie,” and it stuck throughout her adult life. Because WWII was going on during her college years, she felt she would graduate and go to work in a military hospital, helping care for the wounded and recovering soldiers and other veterans. However, the war had ended before she was out and she only spent a few months working in Virginia. Eventually, she and a friend struck out to see the world; first, on a six-month “adventure” going to Panama, and then coming West, initially to “way-to-dusty-for-me” Richland, Washington (Kadlec Hospital) and finally settling down near the beautiful Blue Mountains in Pendleton, Oregon (St. Anthony Hospital). One of her fellow nurses at St. Anthony, Irma “Meachie” See had a brother named Gordon. The rest of the story is history---a young cowboy who needed his cowgirl; a young nurse who was looking for her handsome prince! Together they would become working partners; she to manage all the household chores while he handled the cows and irrigated alfalfa, corn and grain fields. Gordon and Billie were married on January 1, 1949, in West Salem, Illinois. They returned to Lapwai, Idaho, where Gordon farmed with his dad and brothers in a family pea and grain operation. About this same time, Gordon’s dad purchased land under the Roza Irrigation Project near Yakima, Washington. In 1951, Gordon and Billie left Idaho, becoming the operators of that ranch where they often remarked similarly to, ‘we are like outlaws. We are not Catholic hop-farmers, nor are we Dutch fruit farmers. Instead, we have just come to raise alfalfa for our cow-calf operation.’ Besides handling the cows and the growing farm operation, the couple also raised three children who helped with all the farming and ranching duties; Ann, Sylvia and Alonzo. Billie now became the taxi driver for dance lessons, piano lessons, swim lessons, softball and baseball practices, as well as church meetings, choir practice and ladies guild meetings. She sewed countless dance costumes, baked dozens of cookies for church events and assisted wherever she could when a neighbor needed help. The family attended Tree of Life Lutheran Church (formerly Terrace Heights Lutheran) in Yakima and have maintained friendships with many of the members still there. In 1986, Gordon and Billie moved to Royal City, Washington, to what they fondly called their “cow camp.” What started out as a small ranch to winter the cattle became a welcoming “new” home and place of residence. They regularly attended Royal City United Methodist Church. In the early 2000’s, Gordon and Billie sold their property at Royal City but continued to “farm” from looking out their front window or when taking one of their drives in their pickup truck. They developed friendships from Wenatchee to Quincy to Soap Lake to Moses Lake to Mattawa to Ellensburg….well, you get the idea….they could be in the pickup and anywhere within an hour or two of Royal City to meet someone for lunch, even if it might be someone “new.” But “new” only lasted for one time, after that, it was “friend.” In 2012, Gordon was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2013. With the help of Sylvia and Ann, Billie moved to Gig Harbor in November of 2013. She quickly found her way into the hearts of so many! She enjoyed attending church at Peninsula Lutheran where she joined in Rebekah Circle, Altar Guild and the Quilters. With the invitation of her neighbor, she attended STARS, a warm and friendly group of thriving senior women! For the past year, Billie again won over the hearts of many of the residents and caregivers at the beautiful (both inside and out) Kensington Gardens. Thanks to the many caregivers, she played pinochle, tried her hand at crafts, exercised during sit and fit, rode “Mark’s Shiny Bus” to many excursions, etc. On Sunday morning, September 27, 2015, Billie finally made her last journey, leaving her earthly world to join her beloved Gordon once again and all the saints who have gone before her. Billie will be remembered for her sincere love of people: she had the ability to quickly find a connection with you and “never forget it”---she would ask you about your vacation, family member, hobby, etc., the next time she saw you. She also had a way with animals---she may have had a clean plate at the end of a meal, but several morsels had been shared with the family cat and/or dog. She would have had several cats and dog, space permitting! Jeopardy was yet another interest---her family wanted her to try out for the show, but she was satisfied to play from her own living room most every evening! And we can’t forget sports: her first love was the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by both the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. Thank you for sharing your love with us in so many ways, Mother/Nana/Aunt Billie/Billie. Survivors include: daughter, Ann Meacham of Gig Harbor; daughter and son-in-law, Sylvia and Richard Wallen of Gig Harbor, and their children, Jenny and Jason Koenig of Seattle and Stephanie Wallen of Jeju, South Korea; son, Alonzo Meacham of Moxee, Washington; thirty five nieces and nephews from all over; sister-in-law, Pearl Meacham of Provo, Utah; and countless friends, many of whom she counted as brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, etc., because that’s the way she lived! Memorial services will be held in both Gig Harbor at Peninsula Lutheran Church, 6509 38th Ave NW on November 11 at 11am, and in Royal City at Royal City United Methodist Church, 305 Royal Ave NW on November 15 at 9am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances being given to Peninsula Lutheran Church/choir and bell music and/or batting for quilts, 6509 38th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335; Royal City United Methodist Church/building fund for handicap access, Royal City, WA 99357; Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 410 North 37th Street, Yakima
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Pearl Meacham granddaughter -in - law passes away.
Pearl M Vickery Meacham passed away on February 7, 2016 while holding a hallowed place in the hearts of so many who had the privilege of knowing her. She was the last to go of her brothers and sisters as well as their spouses and the same for her husband George's brothers and sisters. Only 6 of her 15 siblings survived childhood and she will once again be reunited with them. Pearl M Vickery Meacham, 94, “Grandma Pearl”, peacefully returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, February 7, 2016. She is surely rejoicing to see her loved ones who have gone before her, including; her parents George Arthur Vickery and Mary Woodruff Vickery, her husband George Arthur Meacham, her 14 brothers and sisters (Pearl was the 11th of 15 children), her son Michael, his wife Ellen, and their baby David Patten. Pearl is survived by 5 of her 6 children, Douglas Meacham of American Fork, Utah; Gregory Meacham of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Linda Meacham Lindsey of Virginia City Nevada; Georgia Meacham Hill of Boise, Idaho; and Roger Meacham of Weiser, Idaho. She also leaves her legacy with 106 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Pearl was born in Dairy Creek, Idaho (Oneida County) on October 28th, 1921. She married George on August 28, 1940 in Letha, Idaho. George and Pearl raised their children primarily in New Plymouth, Payette, and Weiser, Idaho. Motherhood was her crowning joy and her favorite occupation. Pearl also worked outside the home from time to time; as an editor in Payette and New Plymouth and also as a bookkeeper. She spent her last several decades living in Provo, Utah where she made many wonderful friends. She lived her life compassionately in service to her family and the Lord. She was a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout her life; volunteering in many capacities including working in the Temple and serving as Relief President at age 72. She also belonged to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Pearl was a lifelong learner with particular interests in family history, nutrition, politics, and world news. She is fondly remembered for her keen mind, quick wit, loving heart, joyful laugh, contagious faith, fierce independence, amazing hair and queenly poise. Pearl was blessed to be able to live independently and care for herself, by the grace of God, until the last few weeks of her life. Her family would like to thank those who helped to care for her in her last days at Provo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and finally at Sunrise Hospice Center in Orem, Utah. Memorial Services will be held in her honor on Wednesday, February 10th 2016, at 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at 101 W. 800 N., Provo, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Graveside Service will take place Thursday, February 11th, at 11:00 am. Interment in Hillcrest Cemetery, 215 East Indianhead Rd, Weiser, Idaho. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Our dear Aunt Billie passes peacefully on.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Foraging for Nettles and Ramps with Eben Copple
Alexander and Emma Elizabeth Doak are the 2 grandparents of Carolyn Copple. Carolyn is the Granddaughter of Betty Ruth Doak Lindsey, who is uncle Everett's great granddaughter Her husband Eben Copple is a wonderful chef. You may enjoy the talent he has for cooking with edibles found in the wild. This is a skill which is of great interest to me and probably many of you. This looks amazing. Click on this link to meet your cousin by marriage Eben Copple.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Angels Among Us by Linda Lindsey
This is why I love Nevada. David took a turn for the worst yesterday and his two daughters got in the car and headed to NEVADA. They had car trouble in Battle Mountain. It is about 50 miles from Winnemucca where they could get a mechanic. They would have to wait till MONDAY and this was Saturday night. An older couple were just out for a walk and saw them. The girls had 2 babies and 2 preschoolers and the couple felt sorry for them. These wonderful people sent them on their way driving their nice double cab truck 300 miles. Perfect strangers didn't even ask their name and sent them off with their truck to use as long as needed. They didn't even ask their phone number. It touched my heart so much. It is great having the girls here. The lady told me on the phone that they had daughters and they would not want to be stranded. Her daughter is a writer for Virginia City. I hope we can have them stay with us sometimes. They truly lived the teaching "Do unto other's as you would that men should do to you." David is much improved and I am still baffled at the kindness of these perfect strangers. People just don't do things like that. There are certainly Angels Among us.
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