Billie Wells

Billie Wells Pollard, age 96, passed away peacefully in her home, with family by her side on June 19, 2020. Billie was born March 29, 1924 in Cambridge Idaho.  She grew up on Brownlee Creek near Heath, Idaho, walking miles to school while watching out for rattlesnakes and developing a healthy respect for them along the way. She moved to Richland, Oregon in 1933 where she attended Daly Creek School. She was a brave and adventurous chid exploring the outdoors, collecting rocks, and rowing across Snake River, by herself, when she was 7 yrs. old.  Billie and her family held education in high esteem and Billie was an excellent student; she graduated with high honors from Eagle Valley High School in 1942.  She was awarded a full scholarship to Forest Grove Pacific University, but wanted to stay closer to home and attained a business certificate from Boise Business College and at a later date was awarded a BA in Education from Eastern Oregon University. Billie taught school in Ironside and Hermiston, Oregon. She was also civic minded, leading Cub Scouts and 4-H in Richland.

Billie married Jeff Pollard and raised three children.  Billie and the kids spent summers at the sheep camp, in the Wallowa Mountains, with Jeff. While at the sheep camp she indulged in some of her favorite activities; hiking, fishing, and riding horses.  She panned for gold along the Snake River, collected wild flowers, mushrooms, and huckleberries. Billie also loved music and played the piano at family gatherings. She had a lovely voice and often sang with her sister and father. She entertained us all, yodeling and singing Jimmie Rodgers’s songs. Billie had many interests and was an avid reader, an accomplished seamstress, pattern maker, and gardener. She learned to sew on a pedal sewing machine with her mother making quilts. She enjoyed sitting around the kitchen table playing pinochle with family and friends. Her primary interest, however, was her family. Billie loved children and always had time to participate in board games, help with homework, and share a good story along with many laughs, making others feel valued and loved.

Billie was the essence of “good hearted” and lived by the Golden Rule. She enjoyed helping family, friends, and people in need, taking care of her ailing parents and her sister, Marie. Billie was an optimist. She lived through many trying times, but, she always looked at the good rather than focusing on the bad and believed that “where there was a will, there was a way” and she certainly enjoyed exercising her strong will!

Jeff, her first husband, passed away and Billie married Glenn Wells. She is survived by daughter Zona Pollard, son-in-laws Brian (Tony) Ciochetti, and Glen Larkins, son Davis Pollard, daughter-in-law Tania Pollard, granddaughters Diana Smith and Jessica Pollard, grandsons Logan and Harley Pollard, great grandson Marcus (Coby) Ryder, and great great grandchildren Caden and Avilyn Ryder, and Jacob Post, niece Earletta (Blank) Baker.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Loretta (Pollard) Larkins, first husband, Jeff Pollard, 2nd husband, Glenn Wells, father Harley Wells, and mother Maggie (Wininger) Wells, and sisters Marie (Wells) Blank and five year old Retha Wells.

Billie had a good life and always loved Eagle Valley. A private ceremony honoring Billie’s life will be held at a later date. Her family would like to thank Rose Darting and Heart and Home Hospice care providers, for their kind and compassionate care. We would also like to acknowledge and give a special thank you to Diana (Dee Dee) for providing years of loving care to her grandma Billie.

Those wishing to send flowers to the family please consider, instead, contributing to the Hilary Bonn Benevolence Fund in Billie’s name through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com