Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Aldrich, Billie Marie

ALDRICH, Billie Marie (Age 89) Billie Marie (Ascue) Aldrich passed away November 15th surrounded by her loving family at Hospice House of Spokane.

She was born in Panhandle, TX, the daughter of Benjamin Louis Ascue and Maude Roberts (Moore) Ascue later of Odessa, TX.

Working at an Air Base in New Mexico she met Richard C. Aldrich in 1946 dancing with friends at an NCO Club.

They married shortly thereafter.

They had just celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary on November 9th.

Deeply devoted, Billie had been the love of Richard’s life and Richard had been the love of Billie’s life.

They were the loving parents of 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

They built a thriving business of gas station mini-marts in which Billie did the bookkeeping.

Billie was a Texas gal thru and thru where she lived her first 36 years, and she was never fond of the Spokane winters where they moved when her mother-in-law became very ill.

They resided in Spokane approximately 10 years before moving to Moses Lake WA for approximately 21 years; before moving to the sunshine of Yuma, AZ for approximately 5 years; and then to Thousand Palms, CA for approximately 16 years.

They had just recently moved back to Spokane to be near their children.

Billie had a great sense of humor, laughing easily especially if it was a bit naughty.

She loved her family and friends, very sociable.

She loved the sunshine, played golf until the last few years and played bridge until recently.

She was a wonderful cook, seamstress and dancer in her earlier years.

Billie is survived by her husband, Richard C. Aldrich and daughters, Karen J. Snyder and Teresa Compton, and son, Richard M. Aldrich and his wife, Kathy Aldrich.

Also survived by their granddaughter, Shannon Aldrich Payne (Doug), and grandsons: John Helke, Steve Helke (Heidi), and Don Aldrich (Juliana).

Also great-grandchildren, Jacob and Lula Payne, Jeven and Malia Helke, and Maritse, Bellathalia, Serafina, Gaius and Irenaeus Aldrich.

To celebrate her life her family is planning a small Private Funeral/Memorial service on December 5th at Brookdale South Regal, 3117 Chaser Lane, Spokane WA 99223 where they have been residing.

Billie loved and was loved deeply and will be missed dearly.