Bothell, Washington - Billie Barbara Bauer of Bothell, Washington passed away at home shy of her 91st birthday, January 17, 2019. Born and raised in Walla Walla, Billie "B" was the eldest daughter of William "Billy" McLoughlin, owner of the town's Studebaker automobile dealership, and Alice "B" McLoughlin, a music and Sunday school teacher from Elgin, Oregon. Her ancestors were among the earliest pioneers to travel west by wagon on the Oregon Trail.

As a teenager during World War II, Billie developed an interest in chemistry while working as a tester in the local pea cannery. Graduating from Washington State College in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in home economics, and, having served as an officer in the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Billie began her teaching career in Ritzville, Washington, where she met U.S. Navy veteran Harold "Hal" Bauer, who charmingly introduced himself in the middle of the town's main street crosswalk. The young couple married in Walla Walla the following year, and soon relocated near the Hanford Works in Richland, where Billie helped open Chief Joseph Middle School.

After the birth of their first son, Scott, the family moved across the country with Harold's aerospace career. Billie taught first graders from Clyde Hill, Bellevue to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. While in Picayune, Mississippi, Billie taught first grade elementary at the outset of desegregation, pushing back on policies of discipline by spanking and race-based reading groups, encouraging students to learn together at their own pace. She took great joy in teaching children how to read and write.

The family grew to three boys, and after a year in Rapid City, South Dakota, returned to the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1970s, settling in Bothell. Billie promptly enrolled at the University of Washington, updated her teaching credentials, then worked as on-call educator for the burgeoning Northshore School District. She was also active in her community during this time as a Cub Scout Den Mother, PTSA President and later, as docent with the Wing Luke Museum in downtown Seattle.

As was her father, Billie was a natural athlete and ace bridge player. She fenced and skied in her college days and was an avid golfer throughout her life. Billie also played piano, enjoyed antiquing and loved tending to her garden. She was a skilled seamstress and a terrific cook, too, which was good by Hal, for he was a good eater. They enjoyed square-dancing, golfing and hiking together, and in their retirement years, traveling through Europe with their friends.

Above all, Billie was a selfless parent and spouse. She carried herself with dignity, integrity and kindness.

Billie Bauer was preceded in death by her beloved parents, and her adoring husband of sixty-two years. She is survived by her sister Carol Ann Brown of Palm Desert, California, her sons Scott (Carol), Brian, Steven, two grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Interment was held at Tahoma National Cemetery on February 8, 2019. May she rest in peace.