Billie Langston

Billie G. (Byrom) Langston was born December 19, 1928, in the community of Golan, in Jones County (West Texas), to Val P. and Dixie (Duncan) Byrom. She graduated at the age of 16 as Valedictorian of Noodle High School. She then attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas on a scholarship. While at McMurry she was employed part-time as a secretary at First Methodist Church where she met her husband, Derwood Langston. They married in 1947 in Abilene and in 1949 moved to McCamey where Derwood became an officer at the Security State Bank.

While living in McCamey their three children were born. The family were active members of the Methodist Church where Billie served numerous times as President of United Methodist Women. She sang in the church choir for many years. She served as a troop leader for Girl Scouts of America, also serving on the district level of the Permian Basin Girls Scout Council. In 1959, she participated in the Texas State Finals of the Mrs. America contest in Dallas, Texas.

In 1976, the family returned to Abilene where Derwood served as President and CEO of a new bank. Billie assisted him in many ways serving as hostess for many of the bank's functions. They became involved at Aldersgate United Methodist Church where they served the pastors by helping set-up numerous programs, most specifically the Greeters program, where they served at the door of the church for many years discipling newcomers. In addition, in memory of her parents' devotion to the church, Billie was inspired to create and develop an annual celebration honoring the Minister's Wives of Aldersgate.

Billie was a very creative person. She was a homemaker, a gourmet cook, a skilled seamstress, an artist, a poet, and a writer. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. To her family she was affectionately known as Bee Gee.

Billie passed away on December 18, 2025, in Prosper, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 54 years; her brothers, Granville and Neil Byrom, and her sister, Ann Cross; her grandson, Chase Byrom Langston; and her son-in law, Mark Swafford. She is survived by her daughters Vicki Swafford Diamond (Bob) and Dana Bugbee (Dale), and her son, Robbie Langston (Sherri). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kim Swafford Keffer (Mark), Wendy Swafford Kolb-Fagen (Jimmy), Heather Swafford Cross (Mike), Cailyn Bugbee, Travis Bugbee (Gabby), and Cymber Book Jeffrey (Tye). She is also survived by great grandchildren, Carson Cross Shatswell (Dylan), Max Keffer, Benjamin Keffer (McKenna), Macie Kolb Garner (Riley), Mark Thomas Keffer, Reese Cross, Molly Kolb, Ella Keffer, and Blake Fagen, and great-great grandchildren, Payzlee and Hudson Book, Cassidy Jeffrey, Easton, Emersyn and Elliott Shatswell, and Maeve Keffer.

For friends and family who loved her well, a graveside service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Abilene at Elmwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park with a service following at 2:30 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be sent to Aldersgate United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 1741 Sayles Boulevard, Abilene, Texas 79605.