Billie B.J."" Heizer

Billie June “B.J.” Heizer, 84, passed away on Thursday, February 24th, 2011, at her home in the valley that she loved so much . She was born July 19, 1926, in Coleman, Texas, to Robert Milton and Woodie Ethel Chamblee. She married John Virgil Heizer in 1946, and they started their lives together in a one room cabin on the Heizer ranch. She ranched, farmed, gardened and raised her family there. Her raspberry patch and rose gardens were her special place to be and a beautiful site to see. She loved birds and animals and kept them near her own “special” mixture of food. She proudly played ragtime piano at the Strater Hotel in Durango, and enjoyed the friends she made near, far and around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Virgil Heizer; daughter; Thelma Jean “San Dee” Heizer; brothers, Clarence C. Chamblee, Clydus E. Chamblee, J. Clyde Chamblee, William F. Chamblee, and Robert M. “Bud” Chamblee Jr.; sisters, Clara L. Rayford, Bernice A. Chamblee, and Cledith A. Moore; and grandchildren, Michael Shane Spiller and Joee Nicole Nichols. She is survived by her sons, John Michael Heizer and John David Heizer (Maeva); daughters, Pamela Jane Gilmore (Arnold), Audrey Marie Turner (Darrell), Mary Jo Nichols, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren Cremation has taken place. Phone calls can be directed to (505) 326-3723. Pastor Virginia Pevey will be officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to San Dee Heizer Memorial Scholarship Foundation at Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado. Arrangements are entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel: 405 S. Main Ave. Aztec, NM 87410 505-334-9332