Billie Jo Claiborne

GILMER- Former long-time Wichita Falls resident Billie Jo Claiborne, 84, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 17, 2016. She died with her family by her side at home in Gilmer, Texas. Billie was born June 26, 1931 to Carl and Lula Jackson in Anson, Texas. Billie was the youngest of four. She had older brothers Carl (Jack) and Harold and an older sister Rea. The family moved to Wichita Falls when Billie was 18 months old. Billie grew up in Wichita Falls attending Carrigan Elementary, Reagan Junior High and Wichita Falls High School. She married Paul Williams and had three children, Paul Wayne Jr., Ron and Fran. Billie worked through the years at the family"s Modern Dry Cleaners and later at Gibson"s Discount Center and Motion Industries. She attended church with her family at Hillcrest Baptist where she spent many years teaching Sunday School and teaching Vacation Bible School. She worked tirelessly with Meals-On-Wheels and sitting with the homebound elderly. She was a member of the Red Hat Society of Wichita Falls. In 1977 Billie married Fred Claiborne. They attended Westside Baptist Church which later became Lamar Baptist. Fred passed away September 3, 1995. In 2015, Billie joined Frontier Cowboy Church of Gilmer, Texas. Billie is preceded in death by her father, Carl Elvin Jackson and mother Lula Edwards Jackson. She is also preceded by her eldest sister Elvaree Jackson Winborne and older brother Carl (Jack) Jackson. Known by all in her family as Granny Bill, Billie is survived by her older brother, Harold Odell Jackson. She is also survived by her children, Paul Wayne Williams Jr and Martha Hathorn, Ronald Byron Williams and wife Sheila, Frances Ann Ashley and husband Mike. Additionally, she is survived by 8 Grandchildren Dwana White, Shelly Coleman, Shawn Peterson, Shannon Williams, Tracy Peterson, Byron Williams, Nathan Williams and Jason Ashley; 9 Great-Grand Children Courtney Tucker, Spencer Williams, Susan Williams, Jessi Coleman, Evan Coleman, Arlo Peterson, Bodie Peterson, Everett Williams, and Gunnar Peterson; and 3 Great-Great-Grand Children Devin, Jackson and Olivia Grace. Memorial services for Billie will be held at Frontier Cowboy Church in Gilmer, Texas on Sunday, January 24 at 1:00pm and at Lamar Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 10:00am. Billie has asked that, in lieu of sending flowers, please make donations to Frontier Cowboy Church " Building Fund, 2791 FM 593, PO Box 1327, Gilmer TX 75644 or Hearts-Way Hospice, 4351 McCann Road, Longview, TX 75605. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.