Betty J. Wilson

Betty Jeanne Wilson, born December 20, 1962 in Twin Falls, Idaho, was promoted to heaven on January 3rd, 2024 in Grangeville, Idaho. She is remembered by her son Sean Lehman, daughter-in-law Rokeya, and granddaughter Laila; along with her brothers, and many loving friends. 

Betty served her country with many faithful years of service in The United States Army and Army Reserves. Her military service included 4 tours post 9/11. She served in Iraq and Afghanistan. For her years of service, she received 11 medals, one ribbon and one badge. Some of them included the National Defense meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Metal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, and Iraq Campaign Medal with four campaign stars, Army commendation medal (3rd award), Army achievement medal (2nd award), army conduct medal, combat action badge, global war on terrorism service medal, and several others. She retired a Sergeant 1st Class and served honorably, saluted by many uniformed service members and families whose lives she touched.

Betty’s service and dedication to her country’s veterans continued long after her discharge from the service on August 11th, 2013. She devoted much of her time, money, attention, energy, and resources to helping fellow veterans. She worked to help them with services through Wounded Warrior Project, local VFW chapters, VA, sometimes using her own money, even her own cows she raised, and many other resources. She felt a duty to assist veterans wherever she went. She gained this wealth of knowledge through her own experiences of healing as a wounded warrior herself.

Betty was very proud of her son Sean, her only child. She boasted about his accomplishments, and being a strong man with a good head on his shoulders. She was honored by his choice of wife, and blessed by her new granddaughter. She was proud of her family.

Betty was known to say she did not like a lot of people. She would joke and prod on about people being dumb, (sometimes they even were!). Her jokingly lack of patience with people, was in truth endearing, and conversely drew others to her as they could relate to her instantly. Betty’s actions and where she spent her time told a story of someone who loved others and reached out to many people with many backgrounds.

Betty was well known in the community and could frequently be seen out and about with her faithful “giant” service dog, Gunny. She was responsible for his training, and worked with him to maintain and improve his skills as a service dog. Many people enjoyed his good nature and were blessed to know the pair. Currently, Gunny is being cared for by one of her dear friends.

Betty’s final working job was at the local prison, at the correctional office. She completed college for this at LCSC, and made many friends along the way. She was dedicated and went there because she wanted to leave a positive impact on others. Even during her battle with cancer, she worked as often as she could.

The only thing more important to her than her dog and son, was her faith. She had a devotion and dedication to God and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She walked a true testimony of loving others. She put in hard work and hours to maintain relationships with others as she traveled, always shining her love of Jesus. Betty did not have a specific friend “type” as they were from many differing backgrounds, always working hard to show them that Jesus loved each of them.

Many thanks to the many professionals and friends for their care and support, particularly in her final days. She was blessed to have her son near her at the end of her life.

Thank you all for coming out to remember Betty, and the impact she made on your life and lives all around. If you would like to share a short story you may, but mostly she would have us share amongst ourselves as we visit and fellowship. She wants a CELEBRATION because she knew when her time came, she was going onto Glory, with God, in a better place than here on Earth. Betty wanted to CELEBRATE her promotion to heaven. Although we are sad to see her leave us, we are blessed and comforted by knowing she is at peace, in no pain, with no suffering, hearing the words “well done, good and faithful servant”.

A Celebration of her life will be held at the Grangeville Senior Center in Grangeville, Idaho on January 27, 2024 at 11:00 am. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to blackmerfuneralhome.com.

We love you Betty and will see you again.

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