The Lord knew Betty Joe was lonesome, so he called her home to heaven on April 8, 2009 to once again be with her husband Willy, who went to heaven in February 18, 2009. Married for 59 years, never separated in Life, now together forever in Heaven.

Betty Joe was born on May 7, 1932, in Buena Park, CA, to Texans Richard K. and Lizzie Jane Ryans Mefford. The youngest daughter of a large family, Betty grew up around the Cottonwood area. She attended many of the local grammer schools, and often told tales of attending the old Hooker Creek school.

At 17 years of age, she met the love of her life. A handsome soldier. Wallace Earl Wilson was stationed at Castle Air Force Base, in Merced, CA. They were married on September 3, 1949 in Reno, NV.

Willy and Betty moved to the Northstate to start their family, settling in the Cottonwood area in the early 60's. Willy built their first family home, one of the first in the Bowman area. A loving housewife and mother, Betty was active in the community as her family grew, and member of the Evergreen PTA, Bowman 4-H, and other area groups. Her life ambition was to become a Cosmetologist. After receiving her beauty license, she owned an operated "The Stylists" Beauty Salon in Anderson with her two daughters, Karen and Darla. She attended Shasta College and enjoyed the Drama Department. She loved to act on stage and could always bring a smile to anyone around her.

Her surviving daughters include, Lora Ambrose of Red Bluff, Tami Schaller of Redding, Karen Dougan, Darla Zeimet and son Wallace (Squeaky) Wilson all of Cottonwood, CA. Son-in-laws, Louie R. Ambrose and Mark Schaller. Grandchildren: Loray, Jimmy, Lila, Christy, Dallas, Darek, Mason and Wally. Two great-grandchildren Lauren and Jesse.

Betty Joe was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Wallace "Willy" Earl Wilson, her parents, Richard and Lizzie Mefford. Sisters Fay, Iva, Bertha, and Vessie Pearl, brothers Dempsey, George, Boyd, Gerald and Jessie Earl. Her only surviving sister, Lola Hawkins of Maryland.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Lawncrest Memorial Chapel. Internment will follow at the Veterans Cemetery in Igo.

Published in the Redding Record Searchlight on 4/14/2009