Billie Cunningham Pelton

Billie C. Pelton, 80, of Walla Walla, passed away peacefully January 27, 2014 at her home.

Billie was born August 22, 1933 in Hampton, Virginia to Vera and John Cunningham. Her mother later married Thompson Kimmel and together they raised Billie and her siblings. One of 11 children raised in a military family, Billie lived in many different cities during her childhood. She graduated from Fort Knox High School in Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1951. Soon after, she married Herbert J. Pelton, with whom she had three daughters.

Billie started her career as a civil servant working for the Department of the Army in Family Housing, and ultimately progressed to Executive Secretary to the Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia. She loved her job and received many awards and acknowledgements during her career. She retired in 1992.

Billie touched many lives in her 80 years and easily made friends after her cross-country move from Virginia to Walla Walla in 2006. She was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, feisty personality and the love she had for her family. She had a strong love of children and animals, including her “girlies,” her daughter’s Yorkies, whom she adored. She will be missed with as much passion as she possessed.

Billie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Fred Buerstatte, and granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Kelly and Michael Stevenson, all of Walla Walla; daughter Vivian Dorrough and granddaughters Jessica and Alison Dorrough of Florida; daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Gregg Vick and grandchildren Brandon and Megan Vick, all of Virginia; sisters Marion Bazemore of Virginia, and Lola Margaret Accetta of Delaware; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 West Alder Street, Walla Walla with Rev. Ernest Campbell officiating. A private burial will be held later. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice or the Blue Mountain Humane Society through the funeral home.