Billie Mellis Putnam

Billie Mellis Putnam born in Tacoma, Washington on January 5, 1930, died peacefully in her sleep on February 20, 2015, after braving a very serious stroke in 2012.  She was the beloved wife to her best friend, Robert K. Putnam, who passed away in 2008.  She raised four children "to the glory of God," in the Burien area of Seattle, and was first and foremost devoted to her Lord Jesus Christ. 

Billie attended Stadium High School in Tacoma and went on to complete her English degree at the University of Washington.  She then pursured a career teaching English in the Highline school district, where she met her beloved Bobby.  They enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 55 years, particularly their travel abroad together, and their home and gardens.  Billie covered the walls of her home with pictures of the people and places most dear to her, and she treasured them all her days.

Billie's love of God, people, language, music and literaturre are perhaps how she will be best remembered.  Giving her "spare" time to the service of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal parish in Burien, she tended to the sick, elderly, and lonely so that she could touch hearts and share her faith with those in need.

]Billie is survived by sons  Jonathan (Jennie) and Joel, and daughter Kerry (Alex Fautsch); grandchildren Carolina, Alejandro, Luis, Emilio, Magdelaina, Elizabeth and Samuel; goddaughter Claudia O'Neill (John) and their children Jack and Jennnifer; and by Hon and Saroeum Paung and their children Bunareth and Bunarath, her "adopted" family from Cambodia. Her cherished son Jeffrey Kent Putnam died in 1985.

There will be a memorial service at St. Elizabeth's, 1005 152nd SW, Burien, on Saturday, March 14, at 2:00p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made for the work of God's kingdom to St. Elizabeth's.

Billie's good cheer, devotion, and love of life will be sorely missed by those who knew her.  "Go and do."