Billie Jeune Swinney

1925 - 2011

Mrs. Billie Jeune (Bebout) Gunter Swinney, 85, longtime Bartlesville resident passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2011, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Billie Jeune Bebout was born June 12, 1925 in Bartlesville. She was the daughter of William Magee Bebout and Hattie Almina (Shawl) Bebout. She was raised and received her education in Bartlesville, graduating from Bartlesville College High School with the Class of 1943. Billie and Gordon Woodrow Swinney were united in marriage on October 1, 1966 in Dallas, Texas, and they made their home in Bartlesville. Billie was employed with Phillips Petroleum Company as an Executive Secretary in the International Department, retiring in 1983 after 25 years of loyal service. Mr. Swinney was also employed by the local Phillips Petroleum Company. Following their retirement, Gordon and Billie Jeune continued their home in Bartlesville. Her hobbies included gardening and her flower beds, as well as spending time with family. She always enjoyed playing bridge; bunko and slot machines. Billie and Gordon loved to travel, having at one point, traveled to various places such as England, France, China and Egypt. They had many adventures in their travels. They also enjoyed their time in their Grand Lake Area home. Billie and Gordon were married for 42 years before his death in February 2009.
Billie was a member of the Disciples Christian Church, Bartlesville. She was active for many years volunteering with the Bartlesville Community Center; OK Mozart; Red Cross; and was a Red Hat Society member. She was also a past president of the Bartlesville Garden Club.
A memorial has been established in Billie's name with the American Cancer Society, and gifts in her name can be mailed to 5110 S. Yale, Suite 101, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135.
Survivors include her daughters, Marsha Gunter DeWitt and her husband, David, of Dixon, Missouri, and Gwen Gunter Merritt and her husband, Robert, Tulsa, Oklahoma; son, Robert Swinney and his wife, Sandra, of Altadena, California; four grandchildren, Marc Main, Tulsa,, Jonathan Owen, North Carolina, Sarah Owen, Verdigris, Oklahoma and Briana Swinney, Altadena, California; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Helen Louise Flesner, of Pendleton, South Carolina, and Ruth Culver, Plano, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Gordon.
A register book will be available in the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey, Bartlesville, for those who wish to pay their respects to Mrs. Swinney. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, in the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel. The officiant will be Dr. Bill Inglish. Arrangements for Mrs. Swinney have been entrusted to the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Bartlesville. Oklahoma.