Obituary: Billman, D. Jeanne Shadoan
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 21st at 2:00 pm at the Berean Bible Church, 10910 East Boone Ave, 99206, in the Spokane Valley.
All are welcome to attend.
Jeanne, as she preferred to be called, was born in Livingston, MT on May 18, 1928.
She was the youngest of 11 children born to John M. and Loretta C. Shadoan.
Jeanne joined five brothers and five sisters, Ernest, Marie, Ruby, George, Raymond, Helen, Montana, John Jr., James and Lucile.
Her family ties and being with family was always so very important to her.
Jeanne grew up in Livingston and graduated from Park High School in 1946.
She was active in school bands, the Livingston City Band, Eastern Star, First Baptist Church, and Templed Hills camps, where she was the Bugler.
Jeanne attended Linfield College in McMinnville, OR in 1947 - 48.
On New Year’s Day, 1950, after a six month engagement, Jeanne was united in marriage with Raymond Daniel Billman.
She often commented that for their 50th anniversary the entire world celebrated because of Y2K DAY!
They had been married 61 years when her beloved Ray passed away in October of 2011.
In 1952, Jeanne and Ray worked in Anchorage, Alaska for six months, traveling over the Alcan in one of the first campers to traverse the highway.
Their daughter, Marilyn Lorene, was born February 27th, 1953.
In 1955 they moved to Spokane, WA to operate an A&W root beer drive-in and later The Burgerville Drive Inn on Sunset Highway.
Their son, Gordon Ray, was born on Christmas Day 1955.
Jeanne and Ray made their home in the Spokane Valley and lived in the same home for 50 years.
During the last ten months of her life, Jeanne lived at Broadway Court Estates.
Jeanne worked for Sidney E. Smith Co., Alvin J. Wolff Co., NYL, and as a typesetter/proof-reader for The Spokesman-Review the last eight years before retiring in 1982.
Ray and Jeanne began attending the Berean Bible Church in September 1968.
There they were active in MOPS, ABF, and GOLDENAGERS.
Jeanne always loved greeting new guests and making them feel welcomed.
She was the ultimate people-person!
Ray and Jeanne enjoyed trips to Alaska, Canada, Montana, Oregon, California, Hawaii, and took several senior trips to Branson, MO, Florida, and Washington, DC.
They often went camping in their LazyDaze motorhome with their circle of Golden Ager church friends.
Survivors include daughter, Marilyn Johnson; son, Gordon Billman (Dawn); grandsons: David (Lynette) Johnson, Justin Johnson; grand- daughters: Kimberly and Kristina Billman; great-grandsons: Dylan, Hudson, and Crew Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to the Union Gospel Mission Women’s Auxiliary Division, 1224 E. Trent Ave., Spokane, WA 99202, where Jeanne was active for 35 years.