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BILLIE L. SPONSELLER Age 87, former resident, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Landsun Health Service Center in Carlsbad, NM. There will be no visitation, cremation will take place and private family services will be held. Denton-Wood Funeral Home, 1001 N. Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220, is in charge of the arrangements. Billie L. Sponseller Russell was born July 31, 1924 in Akron, Ohio to William Hugh and Lula Estelle (Robuck) Gragg. Billie grew up in Ohio, attending school and married Adin Sponseller. She was a homemaker and mother of four children. Her husband was in the US Navy when the family moved to Albuquerque. Billie was a supervisor at Mountain Bell Phone Company for 15 years. She also was President of NM AFL-CIO in the late 1950's; president of Communications Workers of American, Local 8611 and a member of the Quilters Guild. When Mr. Sponseller was transferred to California, the family relocated and Billie became a bookkeeper for various automobile agencies. She married Buck Russell on March 6, 1976 in Westminster, California. They retired in 1980 and together they traveled in their RV, settling in Elephant Butte, NM. Billie enjoyed being "a Pink Lady" at the hospital in Elephant Butte. Following her husband's passing, Billie moved to Carlsbad in 2004 where she continued to live independently in her own home. Her hobbies included her pet dog, Snoopy, The Quilters Guild and being a member of La Huerta Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Buck Russell and one grandchild. Survivors are four children: Sally Garner and husband, Jim of Carlsbad, NM, Terry Myrick of Edgewood, NM, Adin Sponseller and wife, Kathy of Placitas, NM; Connie Fish and husband, Roy of Seguim, Washington and numerous grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Landsun Hospice, 1815 Westridge Rd., Carlsbad, NM 88220, or charity of donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com
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