Nyla Lorraine Billman

December 16, 1933 - May 20, 2018

Nyla Lorraine Billman passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2018 with her beloved husband, Gene by her side just three days before their 67th wedding anniversary. Nyla was born on December 16th, 1933 in Bellingham, WA to Harold and Thelma (Gerard) Reamer. Nyla met her future husband Gene who was a school friend of her brother Allen. They were married in 1951 on Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. They moved back to Whatcom County after having their daughter Gena and made their home in Ferndale. Nyla worked in retail for most of her adult life and made many friends while working at McKay’s Variety Store, Payless, Rite Aid and Long’s Drugstore. She was an impeccable seamstress and was legendary at creating Halloween costumes for her grandchildren Mitchell and Stephanie. She took pride in her meticulous care of her yard and flower gardens. Being the mother of one child and grandmother to two, she was able to dote tirelessly on each one of them and she loved having the ability to honestly refer to each of them as her “favorite”. She was predeceased by her parents Harold and Thelma, brother Allen Reamer, sister Violet Chasteen, brother-in-law Chuck Chasteen and lifelong friend Ethel McKay. Nyla is survived by her husband Gene Billman, daughter Gena (Art) Longstreth, grandson Mitchell Longstreth, granddaughter Stephanie Longstreth, brothers David (Beverly) Reamer and Ernie (Karen) Reamer, sister-in-law Barbara Reamer as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choosing. Please share your memories of Nyla with her family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.