Billie Junior O'Donnell

B.J. “Dusty” O’Donnell, also affectionately referred to as Dad, Papa & Uncle Dusty, passed away peacefully on Memorial Day, 5/27/2024 at the age of 95. We find it very fitting for a WWII Vet to join the Lord Jesus on such an honorable day. Dusty was the son of the late Hugh and Emma O’Donnell. He was born in Dale, OK in 1928. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Doris O’Donnell and his daughter Micki Bilderbeck. Born third of nine children, he was the last sibling to join the family in Heaven for eternal life. Born into a large Dust Bowl Era family, the family picked cotton and worked the farms to earn a meager living. As money was always in short supply, the children made most of their toys and games; including stick horses, dolls, and bats made from tree stumps. Dusty joined the US Navy towards the end of WWII and was stationed at Brooklyn Naval Shipyard in New York and served on the USS Kearsarge, a Navy aircraft carrier. After the war he moved to California to work in the booming oilfields. This is where he met the love of his life, Doris Towry. The two of them were married and chose to make Oxnard, CA their home. They lived there for many years and raised three wonderful children; Danny, Debby and Micki. After leaving the oilfields, he spent more than 25 years working as a big rig truck driver before retiring to Bakersfield in 1986. He loved the warm weather in Bakersfield. It was the perfect climate for his large vegetable garden where he spent a lot of his time . He loved making homemade “spicy” salsa and his famous chili beans. You could always find him visiting with family and friends on the back porch with a beer in his hand. He loved telling stories and jokes to make everyone laugh. He also spent many years restoring old cars and making friends with all his neighbors and anyone he talked to. He was a hard worker, sharing the importance of work ethic with his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always said “There ain’t no free lunch!” We will remember him working his land, caring for his many pets from chickens to peacocks, and always on the go. After a fall in 2024, breaking both of his legs, he remained positive and was hopeful he would regain his mobility. He even enjoyed a beer and some apricot brandy in the evenings in his beautiful retirement home where he was always meeting new people. He fought a good fight, but the Lord called him Home. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his son Danny, daughter-in-law Joanne, grand-daughter Dani and her husband Robert by his bedside. He is survived by his Children ; Danny O’Donnell (Joanne), Debra Hetrick (Randy) Grandchildren: Dani O’Donnell (Robert), Dustin O’Donnell (Amanda), Amanda Sauter, B.J. Tittlemier (Kristin), Kasey Tittlemier (Mary) Great grandchildren: Donovan Upton, Riley Wallace, Skylar O’Donnell, Dayne Sauter, Eagan Sauter, Brooklyn O’Donnell, Brixton Webber, Canton Tittlemier, Joc Tittlemier & Micki Tittlemier

Billie Junior O'Donnell

July 1, 1928 - May 27, 2024

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Billie Junior O'Donnell

July 1, 1928 - May 27, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

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About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

Obituaries

Plan Ahead

Resources

Contact Info