Billie N. Thomason Estes
Billie N. Thomason Estes entered her eternal rest after 95 well-lived years on July 6, 2024. She was strong, dignified and determined through her final earthly days, traits that marked her character throughout her life. She was small but mighty, fierce as a lion. Family and friends celebrate her liberation from a tired and worn body and her reunion in Heaven with the many loved ones she lost along her earthly journey. We are confident that Jesus welcomed her home and that we will see her again.
Billie was born to Will and Annie Thomason on September 9, 1928, in Stanton, Texas. She was the youngest of five siblings. She attended school in Stanton, graduating in 1946. After high school graduation, she worked in the Martin County Clerk’s Office, and she had the impeccable penmanship that marked an excellent clerk. Billie met her husband of 45 years, Tom Allen Estes, on a blind date. They were married on December 29, 1949 and made their home on the Estes ranch in Dawson and Gaines County, Texas, where they raised three children, Ann, Tommy and Jack.
Billie was the consummate homemaker. She took her role very seriously, and she was excellent in all she did as Wife, Mother and Grannie. Billie was devoted to the care of her family and her home. She was a talented cook and hostess, though a bit territorial about her kitchen, which none of her family or friends minded as each dish she prepared was perfection. Billie made holiday times and family gatherings memorable and special through her hospitality and generosity.
Once her children were grown, Billie worked side-by-side with her friend Faye Richards at Faye’s Gift Shop. Certainly her good taste was an asset to Faye’s store, as was Billie’s attention to detail.
In her golden years, Tom and Billie were avid travelers. The couple had a large circle of equally adventurous friends who went on many trips together with their motor club. Tom and Billie traveled the globe together, frequently bringing their grandchildren along with them. There were many games of dominos and spades played, many smores enjoyed fireside and many memories made. Though their years of adventure were cut short after Tom’s unexpected passing on May 5, 1995, Tom and Billie had many wonderful years and times together.
Billie married Gerald Roberts on June 12, 1999. They shared their love of sports and tried to catch every ball game with an Estes or Roberts grandchild on the roster. After his passing in 2009, she traded trips to the horse races for a tour bus and continued to travel with friends throughout North America into her 90s.
In addition to home and travel, Billie was a devoted member of Klondike Baptist Church, serving as Treasurer and Bookeeper for many years.
Billie survived many hard losses in her life but did so with great strength and dignity. In addition to her parents and her siblings, Billie was preceded in death by her husbands, Tom and Gerald, her son Tom “Tommy” Allen Estes, Jr. and daughter Amelia Ann Estes, and great-grandson Cole Whitley.
Those left behind to walk in her legacy of grit and determination are her son, Jack “Lon” Neal Estes and daughter-in-law Theresa Estes, daughter-in-law Joy Estes, grandchildren Shea and Trey Thompson, Lon and Jessica Estes, Lance Norton, Sherry Whitley, April Norton, Levi Estes and Casey Wayne Riggs, Lacy and Mackenzie Viertel, and Brittany and Samara Estes-Garcia. Billie was especially proud of all of her great-grandchildren, Callen and Whitney Thompson, Case Thompson, Blayke Thompson, Harper Estes, Hattie Estes, Kyler Norton, Faithlyn Norton, Keiland Norton, Devin Allen, Kasey Whitley, Ethan Tuxhorn, Cooper Tuxhorn, Gavin Tuxhorn, Maci Maes, Finn Viertel, Farah Viertel, Wick Viertel and James Viertel.
A private graveside service for the family took place at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 9th. Memorial Service will take place following the graveside service at Crestview Baptist Church Lamesa at 1:00 pm, Mike Wilcox officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Branon Funeral Home.
Memorials to Billie’s memory can be made to Way Out Westes Inc, 1806 W. Wall Street, Midland, Texas 79701, a foundation helping ease the financial burdens of families with children facing difficult medical diagnosis.
To send condolences online, please visit: www.branonfuneralhome.com
– Press-Reporter obituary services