Billy Dean Anderson

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, Billy Anderson took his last breath on earth, and his first breath in Heaven. Billy was born March 18, 1946 in Wendell, Idaho, the only child of Willis and Iona Anderson.

On January 24, 1977, Billy married his soulmate, Shirley Whiteley. Joining the union was his son, Rocky, and her son, Dustin. Two years later, Misti joined in as their only daughter.

As a teenager, Billy taught himself to play the guitar and went on to play for many years as a Magic Valley Musician. His first band, The Imprints, was formed in high school. The band played many school dances. One of their most requested songs was “Crying in the Chapel”, with Billy on vocals. He later played jazz guitar with Von Weems for several years. He ended up playing with The Sundowners in Gooding and surrounding areas for over 20 years.

Billy farmed with his dad until his dad’s health got too bad to keep going. Billy leased out the farm to Kober Farms and went to work for them. He worked for them for 18 years until Larry “Tobe” Kober passed away.

Billy drove truck for Tom Shewmaker every harvest for 18 years. During that time he had his left leg amputated below the knee, but that didn’t slow him down at all. He boasted about his special friendship with Ruthie Davis and Teri Smith, and Shirley called them his harvest wives. They took great care of him.

Billy loved to fish and was one of the first locals to fish for sturgeon in the Snake River. He built many roads and cleared paths to his favorite “holes” which are still used today.

When he wasn’t farming or fishing, he was hunting. He had many friends come from all over to go hunting with him. His greatest joy was watching his kids get their first deer, elk, or antelope. One of his favorite memories was watching his grandson, Shelby, shoot his first deer (a nice buck), then turn to him and say, “and that’s how it’s done, grandpa!” Billy enjoyed the moment so much that he talked about it for months after. He enjoyed telling the stories of hunting coyotes with Rocky in their “coyote rig” with Rocky standing in the barrel while Billy drove. 

Saying Billy was proud of his kids and grandkids is an understatement. He cherished his role as grandpa. He loved to get the grandkids' imaginations running wild by making up stories together with crazy characters from guinea pigs, to the Loch Ness Monster, to Bigfoot, and even an allergy-suffering dragon named “Ah-Hoochie!”

He was an avid collector of guns and ammunition. He hated snakes so he always had a “snake charmer” close by.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Shirley; sons, Rocky (Mona) Anderson of Wendell, Idaho; and Dustin (Carla) Whiteley of Richmond, Texas; daughter, Misti (David Elgan) Anderson of Wendell, Idaho; granddaughters, Dakota (DJ Stanhope) Brown of Everett, Washington, Kylie and Sheridan Whiteley of Richmond, Texas, and Tabitha Elgan of Caldwell, Idaho; grandsons, Shelby (Adara) Elgan of Shoshone, Idaho, and Dalton Brown of Moscow, Idaho; and his great-granddaughter, Valerie of Caldwell, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and great-granddaughter, Laken Rae Elgan.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Colby Tolman, Daret Lamm, Noemi, Tinley, Karla, and LINC for their exceptional care. St. Luke’s Home Health and Hospice Care were such a big part of our lives and we are so thankful for them.

There will be a celebration of life in late June. Billy’s ashes will be spread with his dad’s on Solider Mountain at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Billy’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.