Billie Barbara Clark Rose

Billie Barbara Clark Rose passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the age of 93. After a full day of visiting and shopping with her daughter, she sat down for an afternoon nap and slipped away, peacefully, and quietly. Many times she expressed that she needed to go check on Cliff, her husband who has been gone for 10 years, and “see what he’s up to.” How wonderful must be the reunion she’s desired for so long.

Billie was born in the small railroad town of Waterfall, Wyoming, on April 14, 1929 as the fifth child of Ira Elijah Clark and Emmaline Lord Clark. Her father, Ira, was hoping for a son whom he could name Bill, but was also grateful for the surprise of a healthy baby girl. After agreeing to name her Barbara Billie Clark, Ira switched her name to Billie Barbara Clark during the baby blessing he gave her at church.  And so it was, she became Billie, or “Bill” for short in her younger years.

Billie grew up in Kemmerer, Wyoming in a household where money was tight through-out the great depression. Billie lived through it with many adventures and a smile. In grade school she spent her time playing with the neighborhood boys and became as tough as they were. She enjoyed sleigh riding with her friends, skiing on skis made from barrel slats, and baking potatoes in bon fires they made to keep warm; she said the potatoes would come out black, but never tasted so good!

Billie attended junior high and high school in Kemmerer where she easily passed her classes because of her naturally sharp memory. However, Billie was more focused on having a good time than on her schoolwork. She was active in many music and social clubs where she learned to play the violin, flute, and piccolo for the school orchestra and band.

During World War II, Billie recalled that the war seemed so far away from her small town. The war became real to her when she was affected by the rationing of food and several other commodities, she’d taken for granted. She remembers her mother being a good family manager and, although they did without many things, the family didn’t suffer much through the war. 

Billie met the love of her life, Clifford F Rose, Jr., attending church dances and activities. He had recently returned from serving in the Navy during WWII when they fell in love. They were married on September 17, 1949, in Kemmerer, and later sealed in the Logan Temple on May 4, 1953. Hoping to find better work and life opportunities, they moved to Utah, eventually landing in Clearfield. It was here that they raised their three children and lived for 47 years.  They built a home in Kaysville in 2003 where they spent the last years of their life.  

Billie was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including: Junior Sunday School President, Relief Society President, Stake Young Women’s President, and Co-Dance instructor, with Cliff, for the youth in the stake. She was always involved in one way or another, serving in the Church. 

In Kemmerer Billie worked as a society section editor for the newspaper, and after moving to Utah she was looking forward to getting back into the work force. She got a job as the secretary at Wasatch Elementary school in Clearfield, where she worked for 25 years. She also worked at Cook Elementary school and was involved in the Davis School District Classified Association where she served in various positions as well as president. She loved the children at the schools and had many fond memories serving them. 

Billie also kept close to her roots. She made an annual trip to Kemmerer every memorial weekend to remember and honor her ancestors. 

Billie was an avid quilter, and she could often be found working on multiple projects. She was generous in giving quilts to her family and they are cherished works of art. She made sure to make a surplus of baby blankets to keep her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—even those not yet born—wrapped in her love, even after she was gone. Many of her blankets became permanent fixtures in her grandchildren’s childhoods. She also loved to make dolls and the clothing for them; she had a wonderful and admired collection.

Billie was a loving host and welcomed family into her home, whether they lived close by or came in from out of state. She would go to great lengths to make sure everyone was taken care of while staying with her. You could always count on the candy drawer to be well stocked and the fridge and garage to have plenty of soda. She and Cliff often ventured to Las Vegas to spend time with her children and grandchildren who lived there.

Billie loved to give. And she LOVED to shop, but not just for her. She was always thinking of others. She had toy cars and dolls stocked up to give to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would insist on stopping by See’s Chocolates to get some goodies ‘for her,’ but really, she only kept a few and gave the rest away to her family and dear friends. She made sure her candy bowls were always full so she could offer some to any visitors who came to see her. She loved to talk and make friends. She was a straight shooter of sorts, and so fun to talk to. She had a ‘go-getter attitude’ and dying her hair red perhaps expressed her persona in life.

Billie was a wonderful mother to her children, and she taught them true and honorable principles. She helped and supported them in their educations and encouraged them to get the most out of their pursuits. She was always there for piano lessons or sports activities and was always their number one fan. She truly fulfilled her calling as a mother, wonderfully.

She is survived by her three children, Stephen C. Rose (Marsha), Ruthann McDonald (Brent), and Brent C. Rose (Elizabeth), 12 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephew, Jack Hunter (Pam) who was raised as a brother to her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford F Rose, Jr., her parents Ira and Emmaline, her sisters Emmaline, Delores and Wanona, and her bother Ira. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday February 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Oak Hollow Ward Chapel, 1520 Fox Point Dr., Kaysville, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the services.

Interment will be at the Lindquist Memorial Park in Layton, Utah.