Our precious mother, Billie Esther Leep, passed away peacefully, Thursday, September 2, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Billie was a wonderful woman that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished.  She devoted her life to her children as a stay-at-home mom.  "Grandmama," as she liked to be called by her grandbabies and great-grandbabies, "Mom," as she was called by her children, and "Billie" as she was called by her loving husband.  She was an amazing wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, and painter like no other could be.  Billie's grand-children and great-grandchildren were her heart and joy. Time spent at Grandma's house was very special for them with many wonderful memories. Everyone was welcomed and loved at her house.

Billie was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on September 6, 1938, to Bill and Bessie Layne.  She attended school at Tahlequah, Oklahoma and went to several class reunions, including the 50 ^th reunion. She stayed in contact with many of her high-school friends for over 50 years.

Billie was married to her high school sweetheart, Buster Willard Leep, for nearly 55 years. Buster first noticed Billie at the movies and after a whirl-wind romance of two years, got married on May 23, 1956 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  Billie and Buster and their young family moved to Winkelman, Arizona in 1957, then to Kelvin, AZ in 1958, Ray, AZ in 1959 and then settled in Riverside, Arizona in 1964.  Billie and Buster wanted their children to be raised in the country with close friends, raising animals, and have the freedom to roam.  Billie was a 4-H leader for over 25 years and had many Riverside sons and daughters in her Riverside Broncs 4-H Club.  She was a Boy Scout Leader for her Riverside Troop for many years.  Billie attended the Riverside Southern Baptist Church, was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir and a choir director.  Billie's real passion was for oil painting and sewing. Her hands were rarely still.  She was self-taught and later, she would attend art classes, then went on to teach oil painting in Kearny, Hayden, and in Globe, AZ.  Her oil paintings won many awards, grand champion ribbons and she loved to give her paintings as presents to friends and family.  Billie loved to sew and would embroidery a full-size quilt with the story of the lives of each her children and grandbabies as a "Memory Quilt".  She would cross-stitch a large Christmas stocking for each member of the family as the Leep family would grow with weddings and births.  Billie moved to Madera Peaks in 2011 in Globe, AZ to be closer to her daughter Sharon after the death of her husband. She made many new friends and would continue to teach art.  Billie loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. She enjoyed singing karaoke and would join the Globe Miami Christmas Cantata each December.

Loved ones that will miss Billie until they meet again are her brother J.B. and Helen of Tahlequah, OK.; her son, Faron Ray Leep of Apache Junction, AZ; her daughter and son-in-law Sharon Kay and Keith Listiak of Globe, AZ; her daughter and son-in-law Rebecka Ann and Matthew Clark of Okmulgee, OK; her son and daughter in-law Johnny James  and Candice Leep of Surprise, AZ; and her grandbabies; Granddaughter Carla and Brain Anthony and their two children, Kristina and Jasmyne; Grandson Jeramy and Brandy Leep and their 5 children, Kohen, Brydan, Jacob, Celtin and Navaeh; Grandson Jarrod Listiak and Erin Eisenmann; Granddaughter Jessica and Matthew Nehrmeyer and their 2 children, Colt and Kimber; Granddaughter Tanya and Armando Ibarra and their 2 children, Angel and Lilliana; Grandson James and Danielle Leep; and Granddaughter Makayla Leep and Keith Melnikas and her many nieces, nephews. Billie had many adopted sons, daughters, grandbabies, great-grandbabies and many friends.

Loved ones that are in Heaven that welcomed Billie with open arms are her beloved husband, Buster W. Leep, their dog Princess, her father Bill Layne and her mother Bessie Layne, two infant sisters, her grandbaby Sheri Leep and great-grand baby Krista Leep.

Billie was an amazing mother and her spirit will live on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Billie will be remembered by all who met her as a generous, talented, compassionate, and energetic woman.  Her laugh was infectious and she was always smiling. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Billie's wanted to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date then her ashes will be placed alongside her husband's.  Any cards or messages can be sent to Billie's family at P.O. Box 998, Claypool, AZ 85532.