Wilhelmina “Billie” Huntsman Nielson, age 90 passed away June 29, 2015, in Delta, Utah. She was born to Lamond Welcome Huntsman and Theresa Cannon Huntsman on September 21, 1924 in St. George, Utah. Billie was the fifth child of six and spent her youth in Enterprise, Utah. After graduating from High School, she eventually moved to Lynndyl, Utah to work for the railroad as a telegrapher during World War II. While living there, she met Phill C Nielson and married him on September 21, 1944 in the St. George LDS Temple. They were married for 63 years and had six daughters.
Phill and Billie started farming in Lynndyl and eventually built up a large farm and cattle ranch. She was adored by her spouse, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and revered by her sons-in-law, who never fully understood how she survived living with six giggling girls. Billie enjoyed life to the fullest and was well known for her wicked sense of humor and ability to lighten other’s burdens by finding humor in even the most dire of circumstances.
She was an avid gardner and seamstress. Her hobbies also included: quilting, canning and (involuntarily) taking care of a lot of chickens. She was a fantastic cook and made delicious homemade bread and desserts.
Billie held various leadership positions in the LDS Church which included serving as a Relief Society President for 13 years. She is remembered for her compassion and always took time to comfort the widows in her ward. She also worked as a volunteer at the Family History & Garment Distribution Centers in Delta for several years. Prior to the construction of the Intermountain Power, Plant Billie worked part time launching weather balloons to maintain a record of weather patterns for the IPP environmental impact study.
She is survived by her children: Janet (Randy) Bradford of Blanding, UT; Patricia (DeWayne) Warnock of Murray, UT; Phillis (Lloyd) Burraston of Enoch, UT; Carol Ann (Craig) Cox of Fruit Hts, UT; Tammy (Gordon) Porter of Sutherland, UT, and Pamela (Lee) Goodrich of Delta, UT; 24 grandchildren; and 39 great-grandchildren; and sister, Rhoda Fitzwater.
She is preceded in death by her spouse: Phill C Nielson; grandson: Josh Bradford; great grandson: Bob Brundage; and siblings: Cannon Huntsman, Josephine Roper, Fern Huntsman and Tom Huntsman.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 6, at 11:00 a.m. at the Leamington LDS Ward Chapel. A viewing will be held Monday morning prior to the service, 9:30-10:40 a.m. Burial will be at the Lynndyl Cemetery.
The family gives special thanks to the Millard County Care and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care for her during the past 7 years.