Wanda Marie Billington (Granny) Obituary

Wanda Marie Hawthorne Billington (Granny), 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Abilene Regional after a brief illness.

Wanda was born August 15, 1929 to Floyd and Maudie Hawthorne in Altus, Oklahoma.  She was one of four children, Bobby and Vicky Hawthorne and Trulon Shields whom were all there to greet her upon her entering heaven’s gates as well as her grandson, Troy Newman, and son-in-law, Fred Newman.

Wanda lived most of her life between Oklahoma and Texas, but Texas was her home for the last  40 years.  She worked hard wherever she lived; working the last 22 years in the dry cleaning business before she retired in 1991 and moved to Eastland, Texas.

Wanda was a true Matriarch and lived her life for her family to the very end.  Family was everything to her and she was everything to her family.  She is survived by her six children who were all with her at her time of passing.  Her children are Judy Newman, Charlene Hudson and her husband Bub, Allen Billington and his wife Tina, Donald Billington, Trulon Billington and his wife Janelle, and Janice Smith.  Wanda had 18 grandchildren and their spouses, 27 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.  She was Granny to everyone.

Wanda leaves behind a legacy of family and love.  She didn’t acquire many friends along the path of her life but instead acquired a larger family.  She loved everyone she met deeply and always gave more that she had.  Heaven had to open its gates wide for all the love she is bringing with her.

There was  a viewing for family and friends at 10 am on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland, Texas and services  followed at 12 pm. Pall bearers were grandsons Gary Billington, Chris Newman, Jared Billington, Cullen Greene, Tristan Lee, and Kraig Billington. Honorary pall bearers were Ozzy Billington and Andy Gallegos. Burial will took  place immediately following services at the Eastland City Cemetery.