LALLY, Billie Louise

Willcox Range News, Willcox, Arizona Billie Louise Mather McDonnell Lally, of Sunsites/Pearce, Ariz., died peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 4, 2011, at Arrowhead Hospital in Phoenix. She has resided in Tucson and Glendale, Ariz., for the last few years to be near her son, Daniel McDonnell, and his family. Billie was born Oct. 22, 1921, at the family homestead near Wilsall, Mont., to Homer G. and Claribel R. Mather. Her father had settled on the ranch in 1905. One of three daughters, she is survived by her sister, Doris R. Christie, of Great Falls, Mont. and was predeceased by her sister, Mary Alice Rogers, of White Marsh, Md. Billie graduated from Park County High School, Livingston, Mont., with the class of 1940. She rode in Montie Montana's Wild West Show prior to entering the Women's Army Air Corps in World War II. She was stationed at Chanute Field, Ill., where she met her husband, Bernard J. (Mac) McDonnell, whom she married in 1945. Billie and Mac were the parents of two sons, Brian, of San Pablo, Calif., and Daniel, of Glendale, Ariz., whom they raised in Silver Spring and Greenbelt, Md. In 1970, Billie and Mac moved to Sunsites, where she maintained a home until his death. In 1979, Mac predeceased her. Then, in 1981, she married John R. Lally, also a resident of Sunsites. They were happily married until his death in 1991. Billie was recognized in 2003 as the Grand Marshal of Cochise Days for her many contributions to the community over 33 years. These included: Sunsites Community Church; Cactus Wren Homemakers; Sunsites Homeowner's Association; Volunteer EMT; Shadow Mountain Clubhouse Women's Group; Lion's Eye Mobile; C.O.P., President; Chamber of Commerce Board; Friends of the Library Board; Pearce Cemetery Board, President; Cochise Stronghold Lioness Club; and Lion's Sight and Hearing Foundation. Billie also loved to travel and took great pride in having visited each of the fifty states and several foreign countries. In addition to Brian and Daniel, Billie is survived by John's son, Dr. Richard E. Lally, daughters-in-law Sara McDonnell, Nan McDonnell, Kathy Lally and Margo Lally, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Community Church of Sunsites. Billie has bequeathed her body to the University of Arizona, an internment will occur at a later date in the Pearce Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lion's Sight and Hearing Foundation, Post Office Box 324, Pearce, AZ 85625.