Billy James Allen, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday August 25, 2016 at his home in East Wenatchee, Wash., after an extended illness. He was born on February 16, 1932, in Springfield, Missouri to parents, Wilbur (Tink) and Mary Allen.

Billy’s family came west to Oroville, Wash. in 1938, when he was six-years-old, to work in the apple orchards. Billy attended school in Oroville, and in high school, he excelled in sports, earning letters in football, baseball, basketball and track. It was there, that he met his wife of 66 years, Evelyn Kidwell.

Billy and Evelyn were married Sept. 21, 1950 and over the next 17 years, they had seven children– four girls and three boys. Billy joined the United States Navy in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1954. After the Navy, Billy returned to Oroville and worked for Okanogan County; then went on to work for 50 years in the automobile industry. First, as a mechanic and then as a parts and service manager, retiring from Joe Welty Ford in 2005. He was a mentor to many new mechanics.

He enjoyed cars, hunting, fishing, horses and college football, but what he loved most was spending time with his wife and family and especially his grandchildren, who all called him “Pop.”

Billy is survived by his wife, Evelyn Allen of East Wenatchee, Wash.; children: Roxan (Don) Cook, Mary (Denise) Swanson, Billy James, Jr. (Rose) Allen, Butch Allen (Kelly Towers), Will Allen, Roberta (Leo) Meats and Leslie Hautala; grandchildren: Cris Cook, Luke Cook, Monica Allen, Jaime Allen, Andrew Meats, Josey Meats and Logan Hautala; and great-granddaughter, Ajna Cook. Billy was preceded in death by his father; mother; two sisters; one brother and a grandson and granddaughter.

A Celebration of Billy’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Telford’s Chapel in East Wenatchee, Wash. Donations are suggested to VFW instead of flowers. Arrangements are by Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, Wash.