Rev. Thomas Lee Billie

Rev. Thomas Lee Billie, Sr., 90 year old longtime Seminole County, resident passed from this life on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Norman Regional Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma.  He was born January 1, 1925 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to parents Yowille Billie and Manayme (Hulbutta) Billie. Mr. Billie served in the United States Army during WWII and the Korean War.  During his time in the Army he earned the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.  He was a Rifleman and served in the Southern Philippines and in the Western Pacific. Mr. Billie was a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, (Mekusukey Band).  He was also a member of Sand Creek Indian Church where he was baptized in 1936 by Rev. Jackson Hill. Mr. Billie was a truck driver for several years.  He then worked as a recap technician for Chlouber Tire Company in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Survivors include six sons; Thomas Billie, Jr. and his wife Freddie of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Lester Billie and his wife June of Seminole, Oklahoma, Dannye Billie of Edmond, Oklahoma, Dennis Billie of Seminole, Oklahoma, Keith Billie and his wife Renee of Konawa, Oklahoma, James Billie and his wife Sarah of Seminole, Oklahoma; four daughters, Frances Pierce and her husband David of Seminole, Oklahoma, Lisa Billie of Seminole, Oklahoma, Becky Pemberton and her husband Rick of Konawa, Oklahoma, Wanda Coody and her husband R.D. of Konawa, Oklahoma; 21 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other family and dear friends. Mr. Billie is preceded in death by his parents, Yowille Billie and Manayme Billie; his wife, Edna Mae (Johnson) Billie who died March 21, 1992; by one daughter, Deborah Billie, who died October 22, 2009; by three sisters, Margie Hall, Emma “Millie” Jacobs, Lucy McCain; by three brothers, Louis Ripley, Joe Johnson Billie, George Deere; three grandchildren and by two great grandchildren. A wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma with Military Honors provided by the United States Army.  Officiating the service will be Thomas L. Billie, Jr. and Rev. Houston Tiger.  Interment will follow at Little Cemetery located north of Seminole. Casket Bearers will be: Johnny Joe Jacobs, Dusty Billie, Rick Hall, Jerry McKane, Rick Deere and Russell Jacobs. Honorary Bearers will be: Jody Billie and Raymond Hall. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: July 9, 2015, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel - Seminole located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868