Billie Charlene Swenson (nee Jones), 87, passed away at her home in Highlands
Ranch on November 16, 2019 with her family by her side. She had Alzheimer’s
disease and congestive heart failure.
Billie was born in Lebanon, Missouri July 21, 1932 to Minnie Agnes and Charles
Otto Jones, the second of four children. She graduated from Marshfield High
School in 1950. Billie trained with the Army Mapping Service in stereo
cartography while living in Kansas City and later worked with a private firm in
Idaho in that field.
Billie married the love of her life, Patrick Nolan Swenson, August 17, 1957 at
Turner Air Force Base in Georgia and began her globetrotting, moving to wherever
her husband was stationed with the Air Force. She lived in Japan, Germany, Italy
and England. Travel and living in other countries was one of her passions, and she
visited over 30 countries throughout her life. She loved learning about other
cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Billie’s final trip was in 2018
to England to visit friends.
She lived in Golden, Colorado from 1974 to 2018, where she worked first as a
draftsman for Jefferson County and later as the director of the mapping
department. Under Billie’s leadership, the department was one of the first in the
country to digitize maps. After retiring in 1995, she and Pat travelled the world,
often with her beloved sister Bonnie and her husband Rich, visiting places like
Russia, Nepal, Thailand, and Costa Rica. There was no adventure that Billie wasn’t
up for, including rafting the Royal Gorge, parasailing in Ecuador, and sky diving
on her 70th birthday. Her retirement allowed her to spend lots of time spoiling her
grandchildren. Tea parties, play doh and making tracks for Tonka trucks filled her
time with her grandchildren.
Billie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bonnie Viertel, and her
brother Stephen Jones. She is survived by her husband, her children Peter Swenson
(Maria) and Suzi Mishmash (Randy), her grandchildren Nick and Jake Swenson
and Elise and Paige Mishmash, her brother CO Jones, her niece Deborah Greene,
great nephew Adam Greene and many other nieces and nephews.
Billie’s graveside service will be Wednesday, November 27 at 11:30 at Fort Logan
National Cemetery. Reception details to follow. Memorial contributions can be
made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Email remembrances can be sent to
billie.swenson32@gmail.com
. Funeral arrangements and online at Heflebower
Funeral and Cremation Services.