Billie Champion

Thursday August 22, 2024, Billie Lou Champion was called by her Lord Jesus, to come home! A Celebration Of Life will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM at West Main Baptist Church.

She was born December 26, 1936 in Pampa, Texas, then was blessed to be adopted by Robert Marion Johnson Sr. and Arvilla Marie (Sorrell) Johnson.

Growing up on a farm in Willow Springs, Missouri, she attended school and graduated from Willow Springs High School, where she met her first husband, Howard Hackett. They moved to Artesia, where Billie busied herself raising 4 children, driving a school bus, and waitressing at several local restaurants.

In 1986, she met and married J.B. Champion. They moved to Pueblo, Colorado where they started and operated Champion Real Estate company.

She was certainly J.B.'s right hand through all of their business adventures!

Billie moved back to Artesia, after J.B.'s passing in 2001, to once again be with her family and old friends.

Billie was a member of West Main Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading and especially listening to good ol' gospel and country music. She also enjoyed going to the dances at the Senior Center. She was a wonderful cook and was well known for her homemade pies! (You taught us well, Mom!) Her children, grand children, and great grand children were the rays of sunshine that made her smile, and she loved them all dearly!

She is survived by her 4 children: Vickie Cogar (husband Dan), Leland Hackett, Rhonda Menefee (husband Stanley), all of Artesia, and Rex Hackett (wife Loretta) of Austin, Texas, 8 grand children, Kali, Jacob, Jessica, Shelby, Jennifer, Katie, Kyle, Breanne, 12 great grandchildren and sister-in-law Della Patterson.

Billie would always say and do things that would make you smile, and then tell you, "It never hurts to laugh a little"! She will be greatly missed!