Billie Yurkovic
December 10, 1918 — January 22, 2013
Billie Devoille Ross Glazener Yurkovic passed away peacefully on January 22, 2013 at the age of 94 years after a short illness. She was born to Fletcher Devoille and Emma Lorene (Haddox) Ross on December 10, 1918 in her grandmothers house in Sherman, TX. Her grandmother, Emma ODorcas Champion Haddox Hardin, was midwife to her mother. She is predeceased by her devoted husband and soul mate of 52 years Joseph Anthony Yurkovic; her parents; stepfather Herbert Evans, and first husband (Henry C. Glazener). Survivors include sons Ron (Pat) Glazener Sr., of Schertz, TX, and Milton Mike Glazener of Huntington Beach, CA; half-sisters Sue Evans (Marvin) Haggard of Chaparral, NM and Shirley Evans Crisp of Corpus Christie, TX; step-daughters Paula (James) Hansen of McGregor, TX, and Christina Skipworth of Port Isabel, TX; adored by many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Billie was 100% Irish. She was a beautiful, vibrant, funny and feisty redhead who was 411 (she always said she was 52-1/2 ) weighing 90 pounds. Her eyes were usually blue-green but turned grey when she got mad. When WW II erupted, Billie went to work for Hughes Aircraft Corp. in Culver City, CA. Because she was small, one of her jobs was to crawl into aircraft wings and inspect fuel tanks. She was proud to be a Rosie the Riveter . She knew Mr. Howard Hughes who personally selected her as a Quality Control and Configuration manager for the HK-1, also known as the Spruce Goose . In the mid-fifties, she moved to Sacramento, CA with Mike where she worked at AeroJet General. It was there that she met her beloved Joe. Billie worked on the shop floor where Joe was Shop Steward. He pursued Billie until he won her heart. He always said that she wasnt easy to catch but praised God for helping him snag her. They married July 2, 1961 in Reno, NV. In the early sixties, Joe and Billie left for Phoenix, AZ, where Joe began work for Air Research Corporation. Billie joined Honeywell as a Quality Control and Configuration Management specialist. She had a Top Secret clearance and frequently traveled as a courier to Los Angeles International airport where she personally gave drawing changes to Werner Von Braun for approval. She always said he was smaller in stature than he was in news reels. After retiring, Billie and Joe moved to Camp Verde, AZ. While Joe served selflessly in the Knights of Columbus Verde Valley Assembly 2747 Verde Valley Council 2493, Billie served in the Auxiliary holding various offices. She and the other spouses dubbed themselves a Lady of the Knight . She was also active for many years in the DAV Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. Billie and Joe were active members of Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Camp Verde, AZ where they became Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and spent many Sundays visiting the sick offering communion and friendship. In August 2006, they moved to a new home in New Braunfels, TX to be closer to their family. Beginning in March 2007, Joes health began decline. In November 2011, she and Joe moved to St. Francis Nursing Home in San Antonio, TX. Joe and Billie quickly became favorites of the Sisters and staff who said things like theyre so cute and theyre attached at the hip . A more recent story was a few weeks ago when Joe was to receive Blessing of the Sick. The Sisters said Joe declined because he didnt think he was ready but Billie told him, Go ahead and take it, Joe, cause its free! The family especially thanks the Seraphic Sisters and wonderful staff at St. Francis Nursing Home for their kind and compassionate care during Billies time under their tender and loving care. Billie was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a mother to all and is now an angel in the arms of her beloved Joe and her Lord and Saviour Jesus. Funeral services are being provided by Schertz Funeral Home. No visitation or service will be held there. Viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 16075 N. Evans Road, Selma, TX 78154. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 12:15 p.m. and the Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow immediately at 2:15 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Road (FM 2252), San Antonio, TX 78266. The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and well-wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials and donations are made to St. Francis Nursing Home, 630 W. Woodlawn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212. Condolences may be offered at www.schertzfuneralhome.com.
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