BILLIE JO (BOWMAN) WEST 1933-2026

Billie Jo West, age 92, went home to her Lord on September 1, 2026 at Lakepoint Nursing Home in El Dorado, Kansas after loosing her battle with various medical conditions. She was born September 10, 1933 in Fairfax, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles Edward Bowman and Delphia Lucille (Hawkins) Bowman. She graduated Salutatorian from Fairfax High School in 1951, a clarinet player in the 1950-51 Oklahoma All-State Band. Billie served as a civilian Technical Orders Librarian for 10 years at Tinker Air Force Base, where she met her husband of over 59 years, Buvil Dale West. They raised their only son Keith in Moore, and Billie was an active volunteer with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA National Delegate), 4H (State Adult Leader Trainer), Moore Bands (Treasure), Corn Extension Homemakers Club (Rookie Member of the Year), and Chapter 946 of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (Distinguished Lifetime Member). She was a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation through her father, and in 2013 was made an Honored Elder of the tribe. She was a devoted member of the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, even though she was unable to attend toward the end of her life. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Francis Bowman, sister Elizabeth Tallchief, brothers-in-law Robert Woods and Wyman West, and sisters-in-law Cleta Woods and Ruby West. Left to cherish her memory is her son Keith, countless nephews and nieces, their extended family by blood, marriage and faith, and so many friends.