Born Willadine Martha Dillon on 30 October 1919 on the family homestead in a limestone house near Luray, Russell, Kansas. The house had been built from limestone quarried by her maternal grandfather from his quarry in 1888. In her early years she attended school in another limestone building also quarried by her Grandfather. Her family always called her Billie.
She moved with her parents and siblings to Brown's Hill in southern Wyoming in 1934. In 1942 she married an Army officer, Clifford Raymond Leverett and to this union 2 sons were born. She and Cliff divorced in 1951 and she married Chuck Strain in 1954. That marriage did not last long before she decided life as a single & independent woman was the way to go. She received her BA and MA from University of Wyoming. She started her teaching career in Baggs, Wyoming then taught in Clear Lake California followed by Wheatland Wyoming then on to Lompoc California where she finished her career of over 33 years. During her career she was often recognized with awards and honors. She received an Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award as well as a Lifetime PTA Membership Award. She moved to Wheatland in 1956 where she was the Musical Choir Director. In addition she taught piano and voice lessons. In 1965 she moved to Lompoc where she taught kindergarten.
After retiring in 1980 she moved to Billings Montana where she continued to lead a very active life. She was always active in the community she lived in. Her yard was always a show place and she often complained it "got away" from her but it was always beautiful. She loved to play bridge and often was involved in multiple bridge groups. She was always writing poems and jingles for her friends and family.
When she died on 20 February 2008 she closed the door on her generation. She was preceded in death by 4 half-siblings and 2 full-siblings.
She moved with her parents and siblings to Brown's Hill in southern Wyoming in 1934. In 1942 she married an Army officer, Clifford Raymond Leverett and to this union 2 sons were born. She and Cliff divorced in 1951 and she married Chuck Strain in 1954. That marriage did not last long before she decided life as a single & independent woman was the way to go. She received her BA and MA from University of Wyoming. She started her teaching career in Baggs, Wyoming then taught in Clear Lake California followed by Wheatland Wyoming then on to Lompoc California where she finished her career of over 33 years. During her career she was often recognized with awards and honors. She received an Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award as well as a Lifetime PTA Membership Award. She moved to Wheatland in 1956 where she was the Musical Choir Director. In addition she taught piano and voice lessons. In 1965 she moved to Lompoc where she taught kindergarten.
After retiring in 1980 she moved to Billings Montana where she continued to lead a very active life. She was always active in the community she lived in. Her yard was always a show place and she often complained it "got away" from her but it was always beautiful. She loved to play bridge and often was involved in multiple bridge groups. She was always writing poems and jingles for her friends and family.
When she died on 20 February 2008 she closed the door on her generation. She was preceded in death by 4 half-siblings and 2 full-siblings.
Born Willadine Martha Dillon on 30 October 1919 on the family homestead in a limestone house near Luray, Russell, Kansas. The house had been built from limestone quarried by her maternal grandfather from his quarry in 1888. In her early years she attended school in another limestone building also quarried by her Grandfather. Her family always called her Billie.
She moved with her parents and siblings to Brown's Hill in southern Wyoming in 1934. In 1942 she married an Army officer, Clifford Raymond Leverett and to this union 2 sons were born. She and Cliff divorced in 1951 and she married Chuck Strain in 1954. That marriage did not last long before she decided life as a single & independent woman was the way to go. She received her BA and MA from University of Wyoming. She started her teaching career in Baggs, Wyoming then taught in Clear Lake California followed by Wheatland Wyoming then on to Lompoc California where she finished her career of over 33 years. During her career she was often recognized with awards and honors. She received an Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award as well as a Lifetime PTA Membership Award. She moved to Wheatland in 1956 where she was the Musical Choir Director. In addition she taught piano and voice lessons. In 1965 she moved to Lompoc where she taught kindergarten.
After retiring in 1980 she moved to Billings Montana where she continued to lead a very active life. She was always active in the community she lived in. Her yard was always a show place and she often complained it "got away" from her but it was always beautiful. She loved to play bridge and often was involved in multiple bridge groups. She was always writing poems and jingles for her friends and family.
When she died on 20 February 2008 she closed the door on her generation. She was preceded in death by 4 half-siblings and 2 full-siblings.
She moved with her parents and siblings to Brown's Hill in southern Wyoming in 1934. In 1942 she married an Army officer, Clifford Raymond Leverett and to this union 2 sons were born. She and Cliff divorced in 1951 and she married Chuck Strain in 1954. That marriage did not last long before she decided life as a single & independent woman was the way to go. She received her BA and MA from University of Wyoming. She started her teaching career in Baggs, Wyoming then taught in Clear Lake California followed by Wheatland Wyoming then on to Lompoc California where she finished her career of over 33 years. During her career she was often recognized with awards and honors. She received an Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award as well as a Lifetime PTA Membership Award. She moved to Wheatland in 1956 where she was the Musical Choir Director. In addition she taught piano and voice lessons. In 1965 she moved to Lompoc where she taught kindergarten.
After retiring in 1980 she moved to Billings Montana where she continued to lead a very active life. She was always active in the community she lived in. Her yard was always a show place and she often complained it "got away" from her but it was always beautiful. She loved to play bridge and often was involved in multiple bridge groups. She was always writing poems and jingles for her friends and family.
When she died on 20 February 2008 she closed the door on her generation. She was preceded in death by 4 half-siblings and 2 full-siblings.
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