USBC Hall of Famer Billie O'Connor dies at age 82
February 18, 2011
Billie O'Connor, a United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame member, died Feb. 8. She was 82.
O'Connor, who was inducted into the hall of fame for meritorious service in 1992, was a member of the Women's International Bowling Congress Board of Directors from 1970 to 1983. She chaired the WIBC Legislative Committee and was on the Advisory and Planning, Nominating, Industry Relations and Lane Certification committees. She was appointed WIBC fourth vice president in 1981.
O'Connor, of Chehalis, Wash., joined her first bowling league in 1947 shortly after graduating from high school and, as she told Woman Bowler magazine, "was bitten by the bowling bug right away."
She became involved in bowling administration and her interest would eventually lead her to involvement with the Lewis County Women's Bowling Association. She would serve as secretary-treasurer for about seven years and director for 10 years. That would lead to her appointment to the Washington State WBA board of directors in 1959. She would eventually serve as president for 12 years.
During that time, O'Connor and her husband, Mike, helped start the Washington State American Junior Bowling Congress. She served on the board while Mike was president from 1966-1980.
Her state association nominated her for the WIBC Board and in 1969 she became the first member of the Washington State WBA to be elected to a national office. In the above photo, O'Connor, right, is shown with WIBC president Alberta Crowe, left, and Dorothy Rowe during O'Connor's swearing in as WIBC Director. Her 13-year tenure on the WIBC board included six years as vice president. She was elected a WIBC Member Emerita in 1983.
In addition to being a member of the USBC Hall of Fame, she was the first woman named to the Lewis County Bowling Association's Hall of Fame. She also is in the Washington State WBA Hall of Fame.
O'Connor's wish was that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Mike Oechsner Memorial Scholarship fund that was created in memory of her son, who passed away in 1991. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 8891, Lacey, WA 98509.
O'Connor, who was inducted into the hall of fame for meritorious service in 1992, was a member of the Women's International Bowling Congress Board of Directors from 1970 to 1983. She chaired the WIBC Legislative Committee and was on the Advisory and Planning, Nominating, Industry Relations and Lane Certification committees. She was appointed WIBC fourth vice president in 1981.
O'Connor, of Chehalis, Wash., joined her first bowling league in 1947 shortly after graduating from high school and, as she told Woman Bowler magazine, "was bitten by the bowling bug right away."She became involved in bowling administration and her interest would eventually lead her to involvement with the Lewis County Women's Bowling Association. She would serve as secretary-treasurer for about seven years and director for 10 years. That would lead to her appointment to the Washington State WBA board of directors in 1959. She would eventually serve as president for 12 years.
During that time, O'Connor and her husband, Mike, helped start the Washington State American Junior Bowling Congress. She served on the board while Mike was president from 1966-1980.
Her state association nominated her for the WIBC Board and in 1969 she became the first member of the Washington State WBA to be elected to a national office. In the above photo, O'Connor, right, is shown with WIBC president Alberta Crowe, left, and Dorothy Rowe during O'Connor's swearing in as WIBC Director. Her 13-year tenure on the WIBC board included six years as vice president. She was elected a WIBC Member Emerita in 1983.
In addition to being a member of the USBC Hall of Fame, she was the first woman named to the Lewis County Bowling Association's Hall of Fame. She also is in the Washington State WBA Hall of Fame.
O'Connor's wish was that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Mike Oechsner Memorial Scholarship fund that was created in memory of her son, who passed away in 1991. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 8891, Lacey, WA 98509.