Billie Jean Lightner Keane, 88

Billie Lightner Keane passed away on July 4, 2014.

Billie was born in 1926 in Kellogg, Idaho, to Myron and Florence Wilson Lightner. In her early years, she lived with her parents and sister on a ranch on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River at Linfor. When Billie was 10 years old her family moved to Burke, Idaho, where her father went to work at the Star Mine. Their home was located on what was called the Burke Ballpark. The family moved to Wallace, Idaho, in 1939 after Billie’s father died in a construction accident.

Billie attended Wallace High School where she met her future husband, Jim Keane. She graduated from high school in 1944. Billie married Jim on May Day 1946 after Jim returned home from his service in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. They moved to Moscow in 1951 so Jim could attend the University of Idaho. Billie worked in a bank in Moscow until the birth of her their son, David James Keane, in 1948. In 1951 they moved back to Wallace where Jim launched his career as an attorney. Their second son, Robert Paul, was born in 1952, and their third son, Jerry Norman, arrived in 1955.

Billie was primarily a homemaker, but was also the bookkeeper for various financial ventures she and Jim were involved in, including the management of a cattle ranch in Colfax, Wash. On top of being a fantastic mother, Billie was an avid golfer and loved to be around people. She was a volunteer at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Wallace for more than 30 years, and also volunteered for the Red Cross.

Billie and Jim moved to Post Falls in 1985, and Billie lived there until her death, spending a great deal time with her son, Jerry, and his family.

Billie was preceded in death by her husband, James P. Keane, in 1988; her parents, Myron and Florence; and sister, Janet Lightner Altermott. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Kay, and grandchildren, Katie and Ben; son, David (Christine), of Lovelock, Nev., and son, Robert Pau, of Poipu-Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii.

At Billie’s request there will be no service. English Funeral Chapel of Post Falls is in care of arrangements.