Wilma, otherwise known as Billie, is the daughter of Jesse Lee Avant and Emily Florence Forster. She is one of 6 children: Phillip, Andrew, Helen, Dorothy, Eve, and Wilma.
Wilma, otherwise known as Billie, was married to my uncle Ralph Thomas Ritter. They married on 03 Mar 1959 in Paris, Seine, France. They had no children.
=================================
Bellingham Herald, The (WA) - April 3, 2011
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away March 29, 2011, at age 90. You may share your thoughts of our special hostess, at www.GoodStewardFunerals.org Moles Good Steward Funerals, Lynden
==========================
Billie's Story
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. She was 90 years old.
Billie, our special hostess, was a social, adventurous, and curious lady, who loved to be with people. She always said, "You need to get people together."
Billie served as a Wave in World War II, earned her college degree at Berkeley on the GI bill, and spent 25 years in the Middle East with her husband, Ralph, in the petroleum industry. Billie met Ralph when she found the Suez Canal had closed, and needed assistance for getting home. Ralph was the person who helped her out!
Together, Billie and Ralph retired to Hawaii, where she enjoyed the Kona Garden Club, and entertaining and cooking for her friends. Even her real estate work was an excuse to make even more friends.
You may make a memorial contribution in Billie's honor to the Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Dr., Lynden, WA 98264, or Hospice of Whatcom County, 800 E. Chestnut, Ste. IA, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Arrangements are provided by Moles Good Steward Funerals.
Per Moes Good Steward Funerals, Billie was cremated and her urn was sent to Hawaii for burial or scattering. I called her power of attorney Jeannine Oliver 360-670-6826
========================
Notes from the guestbook
Rachel Thursday, 3/31/11, 3:56 PM
Great Aunt Billie was such a romantic figure to me when I was growing up. Gramma had told us some good stories about when they were growing up, plus she had lived and worked overseas, and when I was young, I remember the jars of guava and passionfruit jelly and preserves she used to send us for Christmas. When I was in high school, I remember Great Aunt Billie visiting Bellingham. Paws, our cat, had just had kittens a few weeks before. We went out for a nice family dinner together (my sister, mom, Gramma, Grampa and Aunt Billie), but at the restaurant it was one of those nights where everything went wrong. Waiting for a table, the service, the food, it was just all bad. I remember Great Aunt Billie being very gracious about it, and making jokes and laughing about it. By the end of the evening, she couldn't finish her steak, so she asked for a doggie bag for the left overs. Then when we got home that night, we cut up the meat into little bits and fed it to Paws and the kittens. I remember her sitting and laughing in delight as we watched the cats enjoying the food and rolling around on their full little bellies. I think the other adults were a little embarrassed about the bad evening, but Aunt Billie just really enjoyed those cats. I only saw her a few times after she moved from Hawaii to Bellingham, but she often had that same twinkle in her eye that I remember from that evening out. Gramma had that twinkle, too. It's the Avant twinkle, I think. I'm very glad I knew her.
Beverly Thomas Monday, 4/4/11, 2:50 PM
Aunt Billie was a wonderful person, I remember, full of laughter and light. When she came to see us I was 12, and she was wonderful. I never got to see her after that, but I will always remember how happy she was. I loved her, too.
Archie Fox III Wednesday, 3/30/11, 1:57 PM
My dear friend "Billie" & I have been good friends since the early 70's. We met in Kailua-Kona, HI at a house warming party. We immediately connected because she was so friendly. At that time I owned a cleaning & catering service company which she used for her personal home & rental properties. We catered the 1st February party for all her friends with birthdays in that month. This became a tradition, later in years I would come stay at her home from Las Vegas & help with this party which grew to about 35 to 40 people. She even had a wake at her home for my partner who passed in '96. Always loads of fun meeting her very interesting friends which were from around the world. You might say she made social networking work. I have many friends today because of those parties, for which I am so very grateful. She has now graduated to a higher place in life, which I believe is never ending. Thank you Billie for making our time together more than memorable with the events I will always treasure. "ALOHA OI BILLIE"
Nancy Poppin Umland Monday, 8/8/11, 3:59 PM
Billie was married to my mother's brother, Ralph Thomas Ritter. I remember as a child Uncle Ralph and Billie would come visit us in San Francisco, CA. Uncle Ralph retired from the Arabian American Oil Company and retired to Hawaii. He had a house built with lots of bathrooms. Mom used to say he didn't have enough in Arabia, so he wanted to make sure he had plenty in his house. I'm saddened to hear of her passing; I haven't seen her in many, many years. If I recall she had red hair.
Wilma, otherwise known as Billie, was married to my uncle Ralph Thomas Ritter. They married on 03 Mar 1959 in Paris, Seine, France. They had no children.
=================================
Bellingham Herald, The (WA) - April 3, 2011
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away March 29, 2011, at age 90. You may share your thoughts of our special hostess, at www.GoodStewardFunerals.org Moles Good Steward Funerals, Lynden
==========================
Billie's Story
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. She was 90 years old.
Billie, our special hostess, was a social, adventurous, and curious lady, who loved to be with people. She always said, "You need to get people together."
Billie served as a Wave in World War II, earned her college degree at Berkeley on the GI bill, and spent 25 years in the Middle East with her husband, Ralph, in the petroleum industry. Billie met Ralph when she found the Suez Canal had closed, and needed assistance for getting home. Ralph was the person who helped her out!
Together, Billie and Ralph retired to Hawaii, where she enjoyed the Kona Garden Club, and entertaining and cooking for her friends. Even her real estate work was an excuse to make even more friends.
You may make a memorial contribution in Billie's honor to the Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Dr., Lynden, WA 98264, or Hospice of Whatcom County, 800 E. Chestnut, Ste. IA, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Arrangements are provided by Moles Good Steward Funerals.
Per Moes Good Steward Funerals, Billie was cremated and her urn was sent to Hawaii for burial or scattering. I called her power of attorney Jeannine Oliver 360-670-6826
========================
Notes from the guestbook
Rachel Thursday, 3/31/11, 3:56 PM
Great Aunt Billie was such a romantic figure to me when I was growing up. Gramma had told us some good stories about when they were growing up, plus she had lived and worked overseas, and when I was young, I remember the jars of guava and passionfruit jelly and preserves she used to send us for Christmas. When I was in high school, I remember Great Aunt Billie visiting Bellingham. Paws, our cat, had just had kittens a few weeks before. We went out for a nice family dinner together (my sister, mom, Gramma, Grampa and Aunt Billie), but at the restaurant it was one of those nights where everything went wrong. Waiting for a table, the service, the food, it was just all bad. I remember Great Aunt Billie being very gracious about it, and making jokes and laughing about it. By the end of the evening, she couldn't finish her steak, so she asked for a doggie bag for the left overs. Then when we got home that night, we cut up the meat into little bits and fed it to Paws and the kittens. I remember her sitting and laughing in delight as we watched the cats enjoying the food and rolling around on their full little bellies. I think the other adults were a little embarrassed about the bad evening, but Aunt Billie just really enjoyed those cats. I only saw her a few times after she moved from Hawaii to Bellingham, but she often had that same twinkle in her eye that I remember from that evening out. Gramma had that twinkle, too. It's the Avant twinkle, I think. I'm very glad I knew her.
Beverly Thomas Monday, 4/4/11, 2:50 PM
Aunt Billie was a wonderful person, I remember, full of laughter and light. When she came to see us I was 12, and she was wonderful. I never got to see her after that, but I will always remember how happy she was. I loved her, too.
Archie Fox III Wednesday, 3/30/11, 1:57 PM
My dear friend "Billie" & I have been good friends since the early 70's. We met in Kailua-Kona, HI at a house warming party. We immediately connected because she was so friendly. At that time I owned a cleaning & catering service company which she used for her personal home & rental properties. We catered the 1st February party for all her friends with birthdays in that month. This became a tradition, later in years I would come stay at her home from Las Vegas & help with this party which grew to about 35 to 40 people. She even had a wake at her home for my partner who passed in '96. Always loads of fun meeting her very interesting friends which were from around the world. You might say she made social networking work. I have many friends today because of those parties, for which I am so very grateful. She has now graduated to a higher place in life, which I believe is never ending. Thank you Billie for making our time together more than memorable with the events I will always treasure. "ALOHA OI BILLIE"
Nancy Poppin Umland Monday, 8/8/11, 3:59 PM
Billie was married to my mother's brother, Ralph Thomas Ritter. I remember as a child Uncle Ralph and Billie would come visit us in San Francisco, CA. Uncle Ralph retired from the Arabian American Oil Company and retired to Hawaii. He had a house built with lots of bathrooms. Mom used to say he didn't have enough in Arabia, so he wanted to make sure he had plenty in his house. I'm saddened to hear of her passing; I haven't seen her in many, many years. If I recall she had red hair.
Wilma, otherwise known as Billie, is the daughter of Jesse Lee Avant and Emily Florence Forster. She is one of 6 children: Phillip, Andrew, Helen, Dorothy, Eve, and Wilma.
Wilma, otherwise known as Billie, was married to my uncle Ralph Thomas Ritter. They married on 03 Mar 1959 in Paris, Seine, France. They had no children.
=================================
Bellingham Herald, The (WA) - April 3, 2011
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away March 29, 2011, at age 90. You may share your thoughts of our special hostess, at www.GoodStewardFunerals.org Moles Good Steward Funerals, Lynden
==========================
Billie's Story
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. She was 90 years old.
Billie, our special hostess, was a social, adventurous, and curious lady, who loved to be with people. She always said, "You need to get people together."
Billie served as a Wave in World War II, earned her college degree at Berkeley on the GI bill, and spent 25 years in the Middle East with her husband, Ralph, in the petroleum industry. Billie met Ralph when she found the Suez Canal had closed, and needed assistance for getting home. Ralph was the person who helped her out!
Together, Billie and Ralph retired to Hawaii, where she enjoyed the Kona Garden Club, and entertaining and cooking for her friends. Even her real estate work was an excuse to make even more friends.
You may make a memorial contribution in Billie's honor to the Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Dr., Lynden, WA 98264, or Hospice of Whatcom County, 800 E. Chestnut, Ste. IA, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Arrangements are provided by Moles Good Steward Funerals.
Per Moes Good Steward Funerals, Billie was cremated and her urn was sent to Hawaii for burial or scattering. I called her power of attorney Jeannine Oliver 360-670-6826
========================
Notes from the guestbook
Rachel Thursday, 3/31/11, 3:56 PM
Great Aunt Billie was such a romantic figure to me when I was growing up. Gramma had told us some good stories about when they were growing up, plus she had lived and worked overseas, and when I was young, I remember the jars of guava and passionfruit jelly and preserves she used to send us for Christmas. When I was in high school, I remember Great Aunt Billie visiting Bellingham. Paws, our cat, had just had kittens a few weeks before. We went out for a nice family dinner together (my sister, mom, Gramma, Grampa and Aunt Billie), but at the restaurant it was one of those nights where everything went wrong. Waiting for a table, the service, the food, it was just all bad. I remember Great Aunt Billie being very gracious about it, and making jokes and laughing about it. By the end of the evening, she couldn't finish her steak, so she asked for a doggie bag for the left overs. Then when we got home that night, we cut up the meat into little bits and fed it to Paws and the kittens. I remember her sitting and laughing in delight as we watched the cats enjoying the food and rolling around on their full little bellies. I think the other adults were a little embarrassed about the bad evening, but Aunt Billie just really enjoyed those cats. I only saw her a few times after she moved from Hawaii to Bellingham, but she often had that same twinkle in her eye that I remember from that evening out. Gramma had that twinkle, too. It's the Avant twinkle, I think. I'm very glad I knew her.
Beverly Thomas Monday, 4/4/11, 2:50 PM
Aunt Billie was a wonderful person, I remember, full of laughter and light. When she came to see us I was 12, and she was wonderful. I never got to see her after that, but I will always remember how happy she was. I loved her, too.
Archie Fox III Wednesday, 3/30/11, 1:57 PM
My dear friend "Billie" & I have been good friends since the early 70's. We met in Kailua-Kona, HI at a house warming party. We immediately connected because she was so friendly. At that time I owned a cleaning & catering service company which she used for her personal home & rental properties. We catered the 1st February party for all her friends with birthdays in that month. This became a tradition, later in years I would come stay at her home from Las Vegas & help with this party which grew to about 35 to 40 people. She even had a wake at her home for my partner who passed in '96. Always loads of fun meeting her very interesting friends which were from around the world. You might say she made social networking work. I have many friends today because of those parties, for which I am so very grateful. She has now graduated to a higher place in life, which I believe is never ending. Thank you Billie for making our time together more than memorable with the events I will always treasure. "ALOHA OI BILLIE"
Nancy Poppin Umland Monday, 8/8/11, 3:59 PM
Billie was married to my mother's brother, Ralph Thomas Ritter. I remember as a child Uncle Ralph and Billie would come visit us in San Francisco, CA. Uncle Ralph retired from the Arabian American Oil Company and retired to Hawaii. He had a house built with lots of bathrooms. Mom used to say he didn't have enough in Arabia, so he wanted to make sure he had plenty in his house. I'm saddened to hear of her passing; I haven't seen her in many, many years. If I recall she had red hair.
Wilma, otherwise known as Billie, was married to my uncle Ralph Thomas Ritter. They married on 03 Mar 1959 in Paris, Seine, France. They had no children.
=================================
Bellingham Herald, The (WA) - April 3, 2011
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away March 29, 2011, at age 90. You may share your thoughts of our special hostess, at www.GoodStewardFunerals.org Moles Good Steward Funerals, Lynden
==========================
Billie's Story
Wilma Joyce Ritter, of Lynden, Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. She was 90 years old.
Billie, our special hostess, was a social, adventurous, and curious lady, who loved to be with people. She always said, "You need to get people together."
Billie served as a Wave in World War II, earned her college degree at Berkeley on the GI bill, and spent 25 years in the Middle East with her husband, Ralph, in the petroleum industry. Billie met Ralph when she found the Suez Canal had closed, and needed assistance for getting home. Ralph was the person who helped her out!
Together, Billie and Ralph retired to Hawaii, where she enjoyed the Kona Garden Club, and entertaining and cooking for her friends. Even her real estate work was an excuse to make even more friends.
You may make a memorial contribution in Billie's honor to the Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Dr., Lynden, WA 98264, or Hospice of Whatcom County, 800 E. Chestnut, Ste. IA, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Arrangements are provided by Moles Good Steward Funerals.
Per Moes Good Steward Funerals, Billie was cremated and her urn was sent to Hawaii for burial or scattering. I called her power of attorney Jeannine Oliver 360-670-6826
========================
Notes from the guestbook
Rachel Thursday, 3/31/11, 3:56 PM
Great Aunt Billie was such a romantic figure to me when I was growing up. Gramma had told us some good stories about when they were growing up, plus she had lived and worked overseas, and when I was young, I remember the jars of guava and passionfruit jelly and preserves she used to send us for Christmas. When I was in high school, I remember Great Aunt Billie visiting Bellingham. Paws, our cat, had just had kittens a few weeks before. We went out for a nice family dinner together (my sister, mom, Gramma, Grampa and Aunt Billie), but at the restaurant it was one of those nights where everything went wrong. Waiting for a table, the service, the food, it was just all bad. I remember Great Aunt Billie being very gracious about it, and making jokes and laughing about it. By the end of the evening, she couldn't finish her steak, so she asked for a doggie bag for the left overs. Then when we got home that night, we cut up the meat into little bits and fed it to Paws and the kittens. I remember her sitting and laughing in delight as we watched the cats enjoying the food and rolling around on their full little bellies. I think the other adults were a little embarrassed about the bad evening, but Aunt Billie just really enjoyed those cats. I only saw her a few times after she moved from Hawaii to Bellingham, but she often had that same twinkle in her eye that I remember from that evening out. Gramma had that twinkle, too. It's the Avant twinkle, I think. I'm very glad I knew her.
Beverly Thomas Monday, 4/4/11, 2:50 PM
Aunt Billie was a wonderful person, I remember, full of laughter and light. When she came to see us I was 12, and she was wonderful. I never got to see her after that, but I will always remember how happy she was. I loved her, too.
Archie Fox III Wednesday, 3/30/11, 1:57 PM
My dear friend "Billie" & I have been good friends since the early 70's. We met in Kailua-Kona, HI at a house warming party. We immediately connected because she was so friendly. At that time I owned a cleaning & catering service company which she used for her personal home & rental properties. We catered the 1st February party for all her friends with birthdays in that month. This became a tradition, later in years I would come stay at her home from Las Vegas & help with this party which grew to about 35 to 40 people. She even had a wake at her home for my partner who passed in '96. Always loads of fun meeting her very interesting friends which were from around the world. You might say she made social networking work. I have many friends today because of those parties, for which I am so very grateful. She has now graduated to a higher place in life, which I believe is never ending. Thank you Billie for making our time together more than memorable with the events I will always treasure. "ALOHA OI BILLIE"
Nancy Poppin Umland Monday, 8/8/11, 3:59 PM
Billie was married to my mother's brother, Ralph Thomas Ritter. I remember as a child Uncle Ralph and Billie would come visit us in San Francisco, CA. Uncle Ralph retired from the Arabian American Oil Company and retired to Hawaii. He had a house built with lots of bathrooms. Mom used to say he didn't have enough in Arabia, so he wanted to make sure he had plenty in his house. I'm saddened to hear of her passing; I haven't seen her in many, many years. If I recall she had red hair.
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