Virginia was the 6th of 10 children born to Agnes & Joe Billingsley in Clifton, Az. "I was the head of the second family" she would say. Virginia said the reason she was not given a middle name was because the older kids fought over what middle name to give her! Having had many adventures as a child in Clifton, with brother Bob (including "borrowing" donkeys to ride and daredevil acts) the two were inseparable in the hills of Clifton. In 1926 the family moved to Phoenix. Virginia graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1934. Virginia worked for the telephone company (1939) and First Federal Savings during 1930's and 1940's. During the war, "G" worked at a "filling station" and learned how to really drive an automobile, change tires and perform routine maintenance. She was never afraid of anything to do with the auto! During the early 1950's "G" worked night shift at the Goodyear plant west of Phoenix. Married 1. in early 1940's to Arthur Ward Hayes. Divorced about 1948. (He died October 1981 in Phoenix, AZ.) Virginia subsequently married high school classmate Walter Mathews Harbold March 18, 1950, Phoenix, AZ. The hand written diary entries made by Walt's father Andrew, indicate the two had dated during high school. Walter attended high school with Virginia & several of her siblings & became very good friend's with her large family. Walt danced with Virginia on the front porch of the Billingsley home. He loved their large family since he was an only child and had no extended family in Phoenix. Walt spent so much time with the family he was considered nearly a "brother." In late 1940's Walt & Ginny became re-acquainted one day while passing on a sidewalk in downtown Phoenix. Their friendship turned into romance. They married in 1950. They were both in their late 30's when they became parents. They were loving and caring partners/parents. Mom loved sporting events and outdoors adventure. She rode and trained horses on her property. She even camped overnight with her horse on the desert near downtown Phoenix. Murphy's Bridle Path was a favorite. Mom told us stories about the faces and animals formed by clouds. Sang beautiful children's songs and played piano. Sat loyally by our side when we were sick, pampering and petting our heads or tummys. Picnicked and fished, and flew homemade kites in the desert. She taught us how to work and play, drive a car and parallel park on the hills of Globe, AZ. Virginia loved gospel Christian music and owned many 33 & 1/3 records of Mahalia Jackson, Louis Armstrong & big band recordings. She joined Maryvale Baptist Church & loved the people there(you can find a stained glass window on the south wall dedicated to her memory.) I am reminded nearly daily about the simplest things my mother taught us about how to navigate through daily life. She was an amazing human being. I miss you every day and I wish I could tell you how much I appreciate your being my loving mother, The best mother in the whole wide world with an incredible gift for nurturing those she loved….

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