Billye J. Irion

Irion, Billye J. Billye Jo (Harris) Irion, 84, peacefully passed away July 29, 2012 after a courageous, 25 year long battle with breast cancer, in Rio Rancho, NM. Billye served as a role model to all cancer warriors in their fight with the disease. Preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, David (Jake) Irion of Las Cruces, NM, after 52 years of marriage; parents, Mills and Pearl Harris of Hobbs, NM; sisters: Suzy Dillard of Huntsville, TX; Wanda DeShurley of Roswell, NM; Sally Lupardus of Midland, TX, and Jackie Hollis of Casper, WY. She was born in Littlefield, TX and moved to Hobbs, NM as a young girl and graduated from Hobbs High School in 1945. She became a Registered Nurse after completing studies at St. Joseph's in Ft. Worth, TX in 1947 and went to work at Lea General Hospital in Hobbs. She married Jake in 1948, had four sons, raising the kids as a stay at home mom. Billye was an active member of the Hobbs Community, including being a Cub Scout Den Mother, an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church, and she also helped run the family business, Lea Pumping Service. After raising her sons, she completed her bachelor��?�s degree at the College of the Southwest in 1980 and then worked for the State of New Mexico as a Registered Nurse in the Public Health Office in Hobbs. After retiring, Billye and Jake traveled around the country and then moved to Las Cruces in 1996. There she became a frequent golfer, avid walker, and an active participant with Las Cruces Habitat for Humanity. She moved to Rio Rancho in 2009 to live next to Derek, her youngest son.
She will be remembered forever by her family, sister, Peggy (Travis) Long of Modesto, CA; sons: Bruce (Teresa) of Navarre, Ohio; David (Lilly) of Tularosa, NM; Adam (Cindy) of Las Cruces, NM, and Derek (Denise) of Rio Rancho, NM; grandchildren, Coby; Angela; Erik; Laura; Samson; Alexandria; Kaylee; Haiden; Zane; along with two great grandchildren. Her spirit was right with God and when asked what she would do when she first entered Heaven, declared, "I will embrace the Lord. Billye will forever be in our hearts, unquestionably missed, and never forgotten. She will be cremated in Rio Rancho, NM later this week with no services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Breast Cancer Foundation or Habitat for Humanity. Daniels Family Funeral Services
2400 Southern Blvd
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-891-9192