Graveside service for Billie J. Thomas will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Highland Cemetery, Lawton with Dr. Dan Horton officiating.

The service is under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Billie J. Thomas, 88, Lawton, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2018 at her home in Lawton.  Billie was born on November 12, 1929 in Carter, Oklahoma to William Scott and Addie Dee (Dugger) Simpson. She graduated from Carter High School in 1947 and was a very good basketball player. Following high school Billie attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1951 and began teaching. She began her 34 year teaching career in Merritt, Oklahoma. Billie taught in Merritt for three years and in 1954 moved to Lawton where she taught the rest of her career. In Lawton she first started teaching at Central Junior High School and moved to Tomlinson Junior High School when it opened in 1957. She taught girls physical education until her retirement in 1985. Billie married Fred R. Clark on January 28, 1956. Fred passed away in October of 1961. Billie later married Fred H. Thomas on August 19, 1965. They were married for 50 years until Fred passed away on May 25, 2016. Along the way Billie battled several different cancers including breast cancer, bladder lymphoma, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer. She fought cancer for several years.

Billie was a great person, mother, and wife. She loved her family very much. She was a member of First Baptist Church and could be seen regularly at Lawton High School football games along with her husband Fred. Billie was a devoted faculty member wherever she taught. She was always very nice to people and had the type of personality that would make anybody smile. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Billie is survived by her two children, son, Paul F. Clark and daughter, Dr. Jan Thomas both of Lawton, a brother, Glynn Simpson and Catharine of Blanchard, sister-in-law Charlene Simpson of Carter, Oklahoma and a host of nieces and nephews.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Fred R. Clark; second husband Fred H. Thomas, two sisters, Natalie McGee and Grace Biscoe, two brothers, J.H. Simpson and Gordon Simpson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center, 104 NW 31 ^st Street, Lawton, OK 73505 or by going to www.ccswok.com .