Billie V. Whitefield

Billie Virginia Buntin Whitefield was born at home on December 28, 1921 in the part of Houston now known as the Heights.  She passed away at the age of 95 on April 1, 2017 surrounded by family.  She was the youngest daughter of Amzie Wiley Buntin and Laura Wilma Reader Buntin. She was a 1939 graduate of John H. Reagan High School and attended the University of Houston.  Billie was a longtime Republican Party activist who served as an Election Judge for Precinct 448 for nearly five decades.  She also served as District Chair of Senatorial Districts 6 and 15, a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1976, and was secretary of the Harris County Republican Party under Chairman George Bush.

Billie was active in many different organizations.  She was a longtime member and officer of the Heritage Republican Women’s Club, a Girl Scout leader, a member of the Heather and Thistle Society, a trustee of the Reagan WWII Memorial Association and secretary-treasurer of Whitefield Plastics Corporation, a manufacturing business which she and her husband started 55 years ago.  

Billie was a woman of strong faith and was an active member of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church for several decades. Over the years she served on or led many committees including the Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chapel Class and Garden Club.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Donald Whitefield.  She also outlived her five siblings: Wilma, Perry, Jack, Francis and Louis.

She is survived by daughter Patricia Schwertner and husband Ron, son Bill Whitefield and wife Janeal; grandchildren Jenks Currie (Erica), Ryan (Rachael), Erin (Matt), and Adam Schwertner, Nickolas (Laura), Patrice (Bret), Laura, and Diana Whitefield, and twelve great-grandchildren (Anne Kathryn, Garner, Allison, Samuel, Peter, Lucy, Cameron, Audrey, Ethan, Elle, Maisie and Kinsey); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Billie will be remembered at a celebration of her life on Friday, April 7th with a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and the Funeral Service on Saturday, April 8th at 10:00 a.m.  Both will be held at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 4300 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX 77018.  A Graveside Service will be held at Brookside Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m.  following the Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 4300 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77018; or the Friends for Life animal shelter, 107 E. 22nd Street, Houston, 77008.