Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Desert Valley Mortuary - Somerton

138 N Avenue B

Somerton, Arizona

Billie Olea Obituary

Billie Sue Olea

July 24, 1936 - April 15, 2025

Billie Sue Olea, 88, passed away peacefully with her daughters Denise and Sandy by her side on April 15, 2025. She was born on

July 24, 1936, in Quitman, Georgia and moved to Yuma when she was 14 years old.

She worked at Mountain Bell Telephone Company at the switchboard when you actually could talk to a person and retired after 17 years. For 21 years she enjoyed her true passion and joy, working with her many students at Crane Elementary School District as an Instructional Aide. To those students lucky enough to benefit from her years there, she was known as Miss Billie. If you ever had an opportunity to talk with her about her kids you would see the joy and happiness this brought her.

Besides her complete happiness and pride in her loving family, two of Billie's proudest accomplishments included her Lifetime Membership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary Aerie #398 and her induction into the Yuma Softball Hall of Fame - Class of 2017.

An avid seamstress, reader and competitive bowler, Billie enjoyed life, a full life, but never more than on the softball field, where she was a player, a coach, and an umpire. In addition to being a proud spectator when her daughters were playing or coaching. Billie dearly

loved the game and its certain that she's already organizing a team up above!

A well-known member of the Yuma community, Billie will long be remembered as a caring, devoted, and competitive member of the sporting community, but her family will always know her as nurturing, loving, and devoted.

Billie is proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 37 years, Reynaldo Olea; her sister, Venida Crawford; her brother, Louis Charles Bryson, and her great grandson, Anthony Carvajal.

She is survived by her sister, Diane Le Grand, of Santa Maria, California, and her daughters Denise Gloria of Rushville, Indiana, Brenda Gloria of Phoenix, Arizona, Sandy (Nabil) Noujaim of El Centro, California and Michél (Thomas) Eilers of Yuma. Her surviving

grandchildren include Jamie, Ryan, Kimberly, Michael, Brent, Rachél, Raymond, Thomas, Lauren, and Raeann. Billie was also blessed to be survived by 14 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren,

and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 29, 2025 at Yuma Senior Living Center, 2600 S. 4th Avenue at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Yuma Senior Living Memory Care Unit and Activity Fund.

Honorary pallbearers: Daniel Gloria, Nabil Noujaim, Jamie Click, Ryan Raike, Rachél Montalvo, Raymond Montalvo, Michael Carvajal and Gabriel Carvajal.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Yuma Sun on Apr. 27, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Billie Olea

Sponsored by Desert Valley Mortuary - Somerton.

Not sure what to say?





Karen Blue

May 12, 2025

My daughter, son and I were blessed to see Miss Billie every day at Pueblo. She had a great relationship with the kids. They loved her as did the staff members. Rest in peace! Condolences to her family and friends. Prayers will be said.

Jackie Bruno

May 8, 2025

Another softball opponent,teammate and friend has left us.
My sympathy and prayers to her family.
I was surprised to hear of her passing.

Sharon Dickey-Alexander

April 28, 2025

Billie and Ray were good friends of our parents Malcolm and Gerry Dickey. We All were very active in the softball community. Our condolences to the Olea family. Rest well Billie.

RHONDA Dickey JAMES

April 28, 2025

I'm so sorry for your ladies. I feel your pain. Billie was a great part of the Dickey women's lives for a long time due to playing fastpitch pitch softball with and against
several teams thru out the years. She was a good friend to both of our parents lives. RIP Billie you will be missed.

Susan Fiser

April 27, 2025

A very dear friend to my family. In the Lords hands now.

Honey Rosas

April 24, 2025

My most heartfelt condolences to the family. Rest easy in the arms of angels my friend.

Gail SHEPHERD

April 24, 2025

So sorry for your loss we love you guys

Carole Espinoza

April 24, 2025

I worked with Billie at Crane Schools. Wonderful, kind and always a smile. My condolences to Billie´s family and friends.

Kerrie Underhill

April 23, 2025

I met Billie at Crane Schools. She was always smiles and spread joy to everyone . My sincere condolences to family and friends. God bless you all

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

Make a Donation
in Billie Olea's name

Memorial Events
for Billie Olea

Apr

29

Celebration of Life

11:30 a.m.

Yuma Senior Living

2600 S. 4th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364

Funeral services provided by:

Desert Valley Mortuary - Somerton

138 N Avenue B, Somerton, AZ 85350

How to support Billie's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Billie Olea's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more