On December 14, 2013 at 2:01 p.m., our precious Dad, Husband, Granddad, Great Grandpa, Brother and Uncle sweet soul slipped away at Kadlec hospital in Richland, Washington. Our holes in our hearts are filled with so many treasured moments. He was our Rock, our force and our sustenance. He loved his children, his treasures and we loved him so very much.
Born on August 16, 1935 in Wyatt, LA, he lived and worked on his childhood farm. On July 1, 1954, he married the love of his life, our mother, Mary Janie Green, whose soul and heart was woven and bound, and connected so firmly tight. He was very handsome, had an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile that instantaneously drew her to him. Mom often talks about the adventures of their 59-year married life.
Dad joined the Air Force in 1953, one year before being married. A crew chief, he was stationed near Madrid, Spain at the Torrejon USAF (closed 1996), a Strategic Air Command (SAC) USAF Cold War air base during the Cuban Mission Crisis. There, he re-fueled the KC-135A Stratotanker jets that fueled the B-52 bombers in flight patterns to/from Communist Russia. At the time, US citizens did not realize how close we were to nuclear war. While fueling, the jet fuel back-draft blasted and legally blinded him.
Staff Sergeant Billy James Green served less than 10 years, was honorably discharged and retired. His areas of study were Communications, Mechanics and Accounting. Recently, Dad recanted a story of the sounds of the cadence and reverie at the Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, memories, still dear to his heart. For his service, he is granted full military honors.
Dad and Mom moved to Prosser,Washington in 1963 with two daughters, where he attended Columbia Basin College, worked at Safeway plant and rented/flipped houses. Later, he purchased acres of grapes, apples, peaches, pears and cherries in Grandview, Washington, moving there in 1969. In 2005, they returned to Prosser, near the beautiful Yakima River.
He liked to tease and poke his grandchildren who affectionately called him, Pokey. Ryleigh, his great granddaughter, recently commemorated him on Veteran’s Day, sending him a personal letter thanking him for his service to his country that he was so reverent and proud of.
The family flew to Las Vegas to marry his youngest son, Geoff to his favorite daughter in law, Laurie, and for that, we laughed because we were on their honeymoon. We also flew to Las Vegas to celebrate his oldest daughter, Char’s 50th birthday. Everyone went including Ryleigh and grandson, Seth. Mom and Dad filled their suite with balloons and laughed as the children jumped on the beds overlooking the Vegas strip.
The family spent every summer on the Oregon coast. Dad flew kites with his sons, Bill, Geoff, and grandson, Zachary. He loved walking the beach and proudly standing vigil to every sunset with his family. He danced with his granddaughter, Olivia, married at Haystack rock in Cannon Beach. As he became less mobile, the family was tethered to where the sun beamed on his smiling face, pleased with the days’ treasure.
Dad was not a religious person but was very spiritual. He would call the children at very early ages to witness the night sky, thunder storms, the sunrise and sunsets, animals and birds. He loved the outdoors, fishing and camping with his sons and grandson
In the 1990’s, Dad commuted to Seattle, living four days a week with his oldest son, Bill. Dad worked as a caretaker and maintenance manager for the Bear Creek church in Woodinville. The church family there took him in their care. In his own time, he found the Lord, reading his Bible up until the day he died.
Dad also worked as a security guard for the UPS dedicated Waterfall Garden Park in Pioneer Square, Seattle. He was very proud working there, because it was a peaceful beautiful place where he could write his book and sketch. He lunched with the city patrons who quickly became his special friends.
Every weekend he returned home, lavishing Mom with secret trinkets and gifts like they were dating for the first time, once again.
He was a story-teller, engaging and fun.
He was truly a family man and as it were, he was surrounded by the family that loved him when he was embraced by the glorious Light to be with the Lord, his mother and family. He is preceded by his mother, Jewell, grandparents, Shields, father, Everett, sister Jean (Crandall) and brother Lewis (Maxine) Green; his loving parents (by marriage), Clifford B. and Rosa L. (Williams) Cagle, his brother (by marriage) Robert Titus, and son in law, John Erz.
Survivors are his wife, Janie, daughters Charlotte (John) Erz and Shelley Green, sons Bill Jr and Geoff Green (Laurie),
Grandchildren: Olivia Laws (Ryan), Zachary Erz, Ashley Green (Robert Brannon), Seth Green; and grandchildren (by marriage) John, Jacob (Kelsey), Jordan (Megan), Jared (Bubba) Hancock; and Jeannette (Joey) Garza. Great grandchildren: Ryleigh, Darienne, Keaton, Hadley and Sloane (Laws); and Kepren (Green) Brannon; great grandchildren (by marriage) Brody, Jackson, Kiean, Josten, Cameron (Hancock) and Julia Garza.
His brothers and sisters, Barbara Sims (Don), Charles (Pat) Green, Harold (Mary Pearl) Shields, Mildred/Ted, Maxine Green; his brothers and sisters (by marriage), Kathryn (LeRoy) Elliott, Sarah (Ron) Tuttle, and David (Kathy) Cagle.
Nieces and Nephews: Mandy (Green) Dumas, Penny (Shields) Rodriquez, Tammy (Tuttle) Pangle, (Tara and Ashley); Randall Tuttle (Jack and Julia); Denice (John) Runyon (Shon, Nickolus, Kaitlin), Damon (Ella, Lily) and Alison Cagle (Lanie, Addie)
Please sign and share stories or memories on the Prosser Funeral Home guest book.
To celebrate his rich life, we invite all to the memorial on Saturday December 28th at 2:01 p.m. at 400 Clipper Drive, Richland, WA 99354 (GW Way near cross road Spengler)
In lieu of flowers and/or food, the family requests donations to the Billy James Green Veteran's Memorial Fund at 377 Driftwood Court, Richland, WA 99354 (addressed to Shelley Green).