Billie Ann Wagner

Billie Ann Wagner, age 79, passed away Sunday, October 9,2016 at 2:47 in the afternoon. SERVICE: 1pm Saturday, October 15 at Lucas Funeral Home, Hurst, TX, 76053. INTERNMENT: Bear Creek Cemetery, 100 Bear Creek Road, Euless, TX, 76039.
Billie was born on October 17, 1936 to W.J. and Etta Mae Casey in Atoka, OK. Growing up Mom loved to go to school. She was an excellent student. She was a daddy’s girl and spoke often of her father that was taken from her at a young age. Mom graduated from Wilson High School in 1955. She was an all-star basketball player. She was a loving and loyal mother who cared for her children all on her on, sometimes working two and three jobs to provide for us. Mother faced terrible heartache with the loss of her first child Karen from cancer at age 8. In spite of her adversity mom tried the best she could to continue. She had a strong work ethic and refused to miss work, only when she was hospitalized did she do so. Billie worked in the Medical insurance field. She worked for HCA for many years and they considered her to be a “committed and joyful employee indeed!” Mom liked her clothes to be nice and neat. Judy would stand watch over the drier to make sure Moms work clothes were removed as soon as they were dry so they would not be wrinkled! Her favorite item of clothing was a white button up shirt. Our homes were always neat and clean too. Mom always liked sleeping on the couch, never in a bed. Because of this, and our desire to be close to her, we came up with all kinds of ways to fit on the couch with her. Sometimes all four of us on there with her. Needless to say, we had big couches. Mom wanted her children to have their own bedrooms and she took what was left over. She loved taking us to Shelby Forest when we lived in Tennessee. She wanted us to be outside in nature to play and explore. We had many fun times with our Mom at the pool that was there in the forest. She loved horses and owned several for a few years. Trail rides with our friends, the Durhams, were the best! Our horses/pony’s names where Jimmy, Black and Charlie. Jimmy was actually a pregnant filly when Mom bought her, and had a foal named Stormy Seventh. At one point she had roosters and hens. Mom got a kick out of her rooster always wanting to go after our dad, Ruble. Mom always loved surprises and guess what Jennifer was the biggest surprise ever! All the more reason to spoil her rotten. Six years later she bought her first home in Marion, Arkansas in 1980. We loved living in Marion. Mom had a job at the hospital in West Memphis and a second job at night at the dog track. She worked long hours and we are sure that at times it was very stressful. We moved to Texas in 1983 and settled in the HEB area. She considered this to be a big city and was pretty nervous to find her way around town. She actually failed her first driving test here in TX and we never let her forget it! Haha! She loved shopping at the Northeast Mall. We lived on Central Drive and mom was so happy when her brother Jeff and his family moved right across the street from us. Years later we moved to Las Vegas and that really was a big city for mom. She worked for Valley Hospital. She enjoyed being close to California where her brother Tom and family lives and we took several trips to see them. Eventually We all moved back to Texas and mom loved having all of her kids together!! She had many friends from work at HCA and she loved going to the Ranger games with them. She loved going out to the Cowan farm. There was a horse named Charlie whom mom loved and reminded her of the horses she once owned. She rode four wheelers with the grandkids and loved to sit by the fire at night. She loved nature! Her grandchildren are the light of her life. Every grandchild was given their first bath by mom. She was always kind and patient with the little ones. The babies were all spoiled because mom didn’t mind holding and rocking them for as long as she could. The kids could always find a playmate in
“Granny”. She would color, play peek-a-boo, swing with them, you name it. She went to games and performances as often as she could. She was and is so proud of them. Mom lived independently for many years after retirement at The Villas on Calloway Creek in Hurst. David would often come over for early morning coffee with mom, as mom was up before the sunrise! She enjoyed shopping, eating out and just being “out and about” as much as possible! Moms favorite food, a good ole cheeseburger! Ice tea with EXTRA ice was her favorite drink and lord help them if they didn’t put the extra ice. She was always up for eating out and often ate at The Outback. In May of this year mom came over to Judy’s house for a Mother’s Day celebration and Judy insisted that she stay with her! Judy did a wonderful job preparing a beautiful room for mom and moving her out of her apartment. The time spent with mom over this last year was very precious. We even took a family trip to South Padre Island. Mom had a blast on the trip. We visited Waco, San Antonio, and the Comal river on the drive down. She loved the Sea Turtle rescue center, the beach, and of course the restaurants on vacation. Mom stayed as strong as she could dealing with health issues and was always hopeful to get better. She was so brave. Mom went home to be with the Lord and to be reunited with her family that passed on before her on Sunday, October 9. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren in love and prayers.
Nothing will replace the love of our Mother. She will be dearly missed. We love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck! And as she would say to the grandkids “to the moon and back!”
Billie is survived by her children, David Wagner, Judy Cowan, and Jennifer Leising; In-laws, Terry Wagner, Steve Cowan, and James Leising; Grandchildren, Emily Wagner, Rebecca and Amanda Cowan, Titan Carlman, Aiden and Troy Leising; Great grandchildren, Grayson and Tinley; Brothers and spouses, Tom and Alana Casey and Clarence(Mac) and June McClung; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Billie is reunited in death with her father and mother, W.J. and Etta Mae; daughter Karen Gilbert, and brothers Jeff Casey and Robert McClung.