It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Billie Gladys Merrill Barr, age 88, a beloved resident of Chehalis, Washington, passed away on Dec. 1, 2023. Billie was born on July 20, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to her parents, Lawrence Merrill and Lester Fanny Withers. She was one of nine siblings.
It was at the age of 11, in 1946, that Billie and her family left St. Louis and headed west to Washington, where she would attend Pe Ell High School. It was 13 years later, in 1959, at the age of 24, that Billie married her husband and soulmate, Gerald Barr in Doty, Washington.
Billie worked as a well-loved employee of National Frozen Foods until the day she retired. When she wasn’t working or taking care of her family, she would love to go square dancing or volunteer at Providence Hospital. Billie was a member of the Lewis County Senior Centers and the Red Hat Ladies. She enjoyed going to the casino to play bingo and the slots. She loved watching Match Game and The Game Show Network, as well as the classic shows of Matlock and Perry Mason.
Billie is preceded in death by her mother, Lester Fanny Withers; her father, Lawrence Merrill; her siblings Ervin Merrill, Shelba Crithers, LeVonn Forestel, Chester (Butch) Merrill; her granddaughter Lacey Ann Barr; and her beloved husband, Jerry Barr.
Billie is survived by her siblings Lawrence Merrill, Edward Merrill, David Merrill and James Merrill; her son, Doug Barr; her daughter, Dorene Philips; her grandsons Tylar Barr, Caleb Barr and Lane Philips; her great-grandsons Noah, Mason, Triston and Paxton; and her great-granddaughters Jada and Marley Rose.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Sticklin Funeral Chapel.
