Willie Mae Rich Lawson (Billie) was born November 3, 1924 and died May 29, 2017 at the age of 92 years, 6 months and 26 days. Her parents were Frank and Blanche Lewellen of Haskell Texas.

Billie graduated from Weinert Texas. Just a few days after graduation she boarded a train with her high school classmates to California to work at Lockheed Factory building fighter planes for War World II. Her High School Sweetheart Ben "Ned" Rich served overseas in the US Army Calvary 4th Division. The two sweethearts were married in 1944. Their first Son, Don Rich was born 1946, second son, Earl Rich in 1948 and only daughter Nancy Rich Freasier was born in 1950.

Billie and close family friend Irene Barnes opened a hamburger stand across from the old High School gym in Merkel Texas and enjoyed all the Merkel Badger school kids that came to eat. She later went to work at Timex Factory as an inspector until they closed. Billie then went to work for Thornton's Department store until they closed as well. She then finished her working career at Anthony's Department Store. Billie was a long time member of the Baptist Church in Merkel Texas until she moved her membership to Broadview Baptist Church in Abilene. She moved from Merkel to Abilene in 1976.

She was preceded in death by her husbands Ben Rich, Laddie Lawson and long-time best friend Charles Simmons; her parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Billie is survived by brother Henry Lewellen and wife Martha; sister -in-law Wanda Carol Lewellen; son Don Rich and wife Susie; son Earl Rich; daughter Nancy Rich Freasier; seven grandchildren. Carey Rich and wife Mickie; Shelley Garza and husband Frank; Jason Rich, Dee Thompson, Rebecca Fay and husband Tom, Ben Rich and wife Melissa, Michael Boyd and wife Elizabeth, Traci Boyd-Yost and husband Stephen Yost. Billie had 16 Great Grandchildren and 11 Great Great Grandchildren. Life long best friends Jean Nix, Wanda Jean Simmions and Norma; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear family friends.

Billie was not only loved by her family by but all that knew her.

Viewing will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Starbuck Funeral Home, 201 Edwards, Merkel, Texas. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, June 2, 2017 at Starbuck Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.

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