Billie Carriger

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Bille Bernice Carriger, age 93, passed away at 6:50 am, Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Joplin Health and Rehab, Joplin, MO following an illness.

Billie was born July 15, 1929, in Riverton, KS. Her parents were James William and Lula Mae (Lewis) Smith. She was raised in the Riverton-Galena, KS area and graduated from Galena High School with the class of 1947.

She worked at Empire District Electric Company, Joplin, in the accounting department, retiring in 1984. She had lived in Joplin the past 2 ½ years, moving from Branson, MO where she had lived for 36 years. 

She was a member of Friendly Baptist Church, Branson, MO. She was a volunteer at Cox Hospital, Branson, and had worked in the hospital thrift store. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and sewing. In fact, she made a lot of clothing for her daughter while she was growing up.

Billie was married to Earl Ray “Bud” Carriger Sr. on February 29, 1948. He preceded her in death December 21, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, Earl Carriger Jr, and her siblings, Vernie, Grace, Belle, and Lula.

Surviving is one daughter, Linda Myers (Jim), South Dakota; one daughter in law, Tina Carriger, Baxter Springs, KS; 6 grandchildren, Allison Lawman (Bryan), Joplin, Rebekah Romo (Tim), Joplin, Jeremy Carriger (Shawnell) Columbus, Erin Preys (Mike), South Dakota, Jamie Myers (Bree), South Dakota, and John Korzelius (Melissa), Broken Arrow, OK; and many great and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Monday, May 1, 2023 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Paul Mooney will officiate. Burial will be in Hill Crest Cemetery, Galena, KS. Pallbearers will be Tim Romo, Bryan Lawman, Cody Hall, Jamie Myers, Jeremy Carriger, and Nick Myers.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS.