Aug. 11, 1939 – Dec. 6, 2018
Bobbie Ray Bilyeu, 79, of Sweet Home died Dec. 6, 2018.
He was born Aug. 11, 1939 in Peggs, Okla. to Ralph Benjamin and Flossie Fay (McCraw) Bilyeu.
His family moved to Freer, Texas soon after his birth, where he spent his youth until the untimely death of his mother when he was 11, after which he lived in a Methodist orphanage before heading West for San Diego, Calif. at age 17.
After graduating from Hoover High School, he married Gloria Kay and had three children.
Mr. Bilyeu worked on the Spring Valley Fire Department, which became the San Miguel Fire Department. He had worked for 29 years when he retired as a captain due to an injury he sustained on a fire.
During his career, Mr. Bilyeu saved many lives and helped many people who experienced trauma in the most critical moments of vulnerability. He loved his work as a fireman, and had a remarkable work-ethic and dedication to his career.
Upon his retirement, he and his wife moved to Roseburg with their granddaughter, Shonna Rose Bilyeu, whom he had adopted when she was 13 days old and raised as his own daughter.
Mr. Bilyeu had 21 acres on Happy Valley Road near Lookingglass, outside of Roseburg, where he raised cattle, chickens, turkeys, a large garden, and orchards. After a house fire in 1994, he built a beautiful new home on the property that remains there today.
In 2005, Mr. Bilyeu moved with his companion, Jean Linhart, to Sweet Home, where he enjoyed the proximity to lakes and reservoirs and built many lasting friendships in the community.
He loved to fish, hunt, shoot, cook, and spend time telling stories with friends and family. During his last days, he entertained hospital staff with stories of his hunting, fishing, and farming adventures.
On Dec. 6, Mr. Bilyeu died peacefully at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, surrounded and held by his daughter Brenda Morton, granddaughter Shonna Rose Barry, and granddaughter Julia Glover. Bob’s life left a huge impact on all who knew him, and he will be dearly missed. His memory and many stories of his life will be shared and treasured for generations.
Mr. Bilyeu is survived by his daughters Cindy Bilyeu-Long and Brenda Morton, and son Bryan
Bilyeu, all of San Diego, Calif.; three grandchildren and a great-grandson, all of San Diego; sister Paula Zwirn and her family of Sutherlin; brother Jerry Bilyeu and his family of Chula Vista, Calif.; and domestic partner Barbara Pugh of Sweet Home.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.