Billye McGooden Johnson

Billye McGooden Johnson passed away on March 20, 2017, at Brookstone View in Broken Bow, Nebraska.  She was 93. She was born March 16, 1924, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Boone and Etta Hester, the third of four daughters. She graduated from high school in Benkelman, Nebraska. She married M.G. “Bud” McGooden, and four sons who were her joy were born to this union.  On December 8, 1996, she married Lester Johnson. Billye was active in the church wherever she lived and truly believed in love your neighbor.  She was always ready to step in whenever she was needed.  She enjoyed following the stock market and making quilts.  She was also an avid sports fan and loved the sandhills. She was preceded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Delphia, Betty and Patty; and her eldest son, James, two granddaughters; Tiffiny & Monique. Survivors include sons Michael (Gloria) of Siloam Springs, AR; Patrick (Linda Edwards) of Wymore, NE; Roger (Renee Ferguson) of Broken Bow, NE; a daughter in law, Sue McGooden of Ruskin, FL; grandchildren Shay (Debbie) McGooden of Siloam Springs, AR; Jeff McGooden (Jennifer Greenwood) of Wichita, KS; Nikki McGooden of Tulsa, OK; Nate (Sarah) McGooden of Springdale, AR;  Shauntelle Catani (Johnny Johnson) of Tallahassee, FL; Barry McGooden (Julie Kleint) of Grand Island, NE; Shane McGooden of Omaha, NE; Casey McGooden (Becky Fisher) of Doniphan, NE;  as well as great grandchildren Brittany (Derek), Adrienne, Chloe, Max, Grant, Jack, Kate, Devin, Dylan, Mikayla, Angelina, Adam, Tori, and Kenzi  plus three nephews and five nieces. A memorial service is scheduled for April 1, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow, Nebraska, at 11:00 with a reception to follow at the church. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, 6 PM to 8 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary. It was Billye’s desire to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in the sandhills.  At a private ceremony at a later date her family will honor her wishes.   As one of her sons stated she was a “devoted sandhiller”. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dunning Junior Rodeo.                                      .