Betty Bethke

Betty Bethke February, 9, 1936 - January 24, 2015 Betty Jean Tull Bethke, 78, of Woodway, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015, at home surrounded by her loving family and friends. Services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, with Pastors Jon Farrer and Brent Freeman officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Betty was born February 9, 1936, in Ross, Texas, to Fred and Annie Tull. She went to school in Lorena and worked as an elevator operator for Goldstein-Migel Department Store in downtown Waco. This is where she met the love of her life, Billy C. Bethke, Christmas of 1955. They married July 27, 1956, and were blessed with three daughters. Betty enjoyed being a stay at home mom to her girls and being involved in their activities. She and Bill owned Bill Bethke Remodeling and ABC Antiques until his death in 2011. They were also very active in the Dr Pepper 10-2-4 Collectors Club. She and Bill loved bowling and were active in several Waco bowling leagues. Betty continued to bowl until she hurt her back in 2010. For many years she bowled in the Women's Major League at Lake Air Lanes with her special friends Delores Johnson, Sue Schraeder, Mary Ann Resch and Gloria Patrick. She was so happy to attend the OldTimer Bowler's Christmas Party a few weeks ago and see many of her lifelong bowling friends. Betty's other favorite pastime was playing Bunko. She loved her Bunko girls, having played with the same group of ladies for over 45 years! Betty loved to cook and everyone loved her cooking. Nothing made her happier than cooking favorite birthday meals for her family. Her grand kids loved her spaghetti, scratch pancakes, pralines and chicken noodle soup. She made sure no one went away from her house hungry! She enjoyed watching all sports and rarely missed watching her Texas Rangers or Dallas Cowboys play! She was a lifelong Baptist and a member of First Baptist Church/Woodway. Betty was predeceased by her parents; husband, Bill, sisters, Louise Phillips, Pauline Lazzaro, Margaret DeLuca and Ruby Nelson; brothers, Afton, Bill, Tom and L.D.; nephew, Dale Born; nieces, Becky Breaux and Connie Salsiccia and grandson-in-law, Ryan Newton. She is survived by daughters, Pam Cooper, Teresa Hargrave and husband, Randy, Karen Briggs and husband, Steve. Grandchildren, Stefanie Newton, Casey Schreiber, Cody Hargrave and wife, Kelly, Mary Grisham and husband, Caleb, and Carroll Anne Briggs; precious great-grandchildren, Layne and Landrye Newton, Paisley and Jax Hargrave and Georgia Anne Grisham, arriving in May. They all adored their sweet GiGi! She also leaves behind to cherish her memory, sisters, Mildred Airehart and Zena Greaser, brother, Paul Tull and wife, Lanette, brother-in-law, Billy Phillips, sister-in-law, Georgia Means and a host of special nieces, nephews and dear friends. Betty loved being with her family and friends! Pallbearers are grandsons, Casey, Cody and Caleb and nephews, Tony Lazzaro, Jim DeLuca, and Bob Greaser. The family wishes to thank Dr. Charles Shoultz, Jr., Dr. Elizabeth Turnage, Dr. Carl Chakmakjian, Providence CHF Clinic, Natasha Bryant and other staff of Visiting Angels, Nicki Jones, and Bluebonnet Home Health for their outstanding care of mom these last 3 years. They also want to thank the staff of Bluebonnet Hospice for the exceptional care and comfort provided to Betty this last week. Those wishing can make donations to Bluebonnet Hospice, Salvation Army, or Meals on Wheels. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY