Billie Jean Crose Owens-Helm

Billie Jean Crose Owens-Helm 

Billie Jean Crose Owens-Helm was born February 27, 1941 in Prescott, Arizona to William Howard “Bill” Crose and Helen Merle Acrey Crose. On November 16, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, she returned to her heavenly father.

Billie grew up in lower Clarkdale on the Verde River, loving her life of swimming, fishing, looking for arrowheads, and collecting turtles. 

During high school, Billie was a member of Rainbow Girls, a faith-based service club. She graduated from Mingus High School in Clarkdale and was on the student council that chose the mascot and school colors when Mingus consolidated with Cottonwood to form Mingus Union High School. Her first job was setting pins by hand at the bowling alley in the basement of the Clarkdale Memorial Clubhouse. 

Billie married Larry Pearcy in 1959, and they were blessed with a daughter, Pamela Marie. When their marriage ended, Billie went to work for the First National Bank in Cottonwood. Frank William Owens, Sr., who worked at the nearby Patterson Feed Store, was a frequent customer. Billie and Frank developed a relationship and were married in 1963. Five more children followed. 

The Owens family lived in Utah for 14 years. During that time, Billie raised kids, joined a bowling league, supported boys and girls scout activities, and served in various church callings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Billie always considered Arizona her home. In 1983, the family moved “home.” Billie worked for the US Forest Service for several years, then transferred to the US Park Service, working at Tuzigoot/Montezuma Castle. Her husband, Frank, died in 1990.

In 1991, Billie married Charles William “Bill” Helm, Sr., and gained four more children. Together, she and Bill enjoyed hunting, riding horses, and camping at Horse Camp in Bloody Basin. Before she retired, she worked at Grand Canyon National Monument for two years.

Billie’s passion for writing music, singing, and playing instruments is well known. She was a long-time member of the Verde Valley Old Time Fiddlers. Over the years, she produced several music and poetry CDs, and wrote a book about Bill’s life.

Billie is survived by her children, Pamela Marie Owens, Frank William Owens Jr. (Melody), Virginia Elizabeth “Ginger” Montgomery (Dean), Sandra Surrue Owens (Greg Islas), Jonathan Clint Owens (Shelly), Benjamin Joseph Owens (Amber Wilson), Charles Helm, Jr., Randy Helm (Libby), Judy Valentine (Frank), and Marie Helm, 30 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, a bonus foster child, Barbara “Bambi” Sparrow and her children, two sisters, Mary Linda Heydorn (Willie), and Debra Lee Pearson (Ron), her Guardian Angel, Harold “Buttons” Heckethorn, her Gracious Grannie’s family, and many friends who came to know and love her.

Viewings will be held at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood, Friday, November 22 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 23, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The Celebration of Life will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 23. Graveside services at Middle Verde Cemetery and a luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Billie Jean’s Children’s Book Fund, Credit Union West, (Routing #322172153, Account #1010000419602), created to publish her book, “Lizard on the Door.”

Bye for now, Billie Jean.