Billee Wheelock Gontrum

GONTRUM
BILLEE WHEELOCK, 88, of Brevard NC, died Thurs., Feb. 19, 2004 at her home; born July 25, 1915 in Fort Collins CO, she was the daughter of the late Winslow P. and Cora M. Pugh Wheelock. Mrs. Gontrum grew up in Fort Collins and attended Colorado State University there. While still a high school student, she worked on the Fort Collins Express Courier (now the Coloradoan) as a cub report and later as a full time reporter. Subsequently she worked on newspapers in Wyoming, California and Penna. In 1943, she was employed as an Associated Press reporter in Phila PA, a position she held until her marriage in 1953 to Thomas McCauley Gontrum in Baltimore MD. Mr. and Mrs. Gontrum made their home on a farm in Jarrettsville near Baltimore. The Gontrums traveled extensively and particularly enjoyed trips to Italy. Mrs. Gontrum was an outstanding, award-winning photographer and was also an avid amateur astronomer. She was the author of a book of Essays on farm life in Maryland, 'Many a Glorious Morning.' June Heebner, a longtime and very special friend, has lived with Mrs. Gontrum since the death of Mr. Gontrum. In addition to Mrs. Heebner, Mrs. Gontrum is survived by her sister, Nelle Ross of Denver CO; 2 nieces, Mary Sue Baublitz and Marilyn Gontrum both of Baltimore and 2 nephews, Peter Gontrum of Eugene OR and Tom Hill of Oak Ridge TN. Micki McMillan-Blacker of Denver CO, Cathy and Fred Volz of Brevard NC and June and Bob Stacy of Brevard NC are also special friends. A Memorial Service will be held 2 P.M. Sat., March 6, 2004 at the Burt Alumni House at the Brevard Music Center, Brevard NC. The family suggest Memorials, if desired, to The Brevard Music Center, Box 312, Brevard NC 28712. ASHEVILLE MORTUARY SERVICES is assisting the family.