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Billie Eugene Ogden 1993 - 2016
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   Billie Eugene Ogden — son, brother, cousin, nephew, friend — left his temporary home on this Earth to be with God in Heaven. He passed away at the age of 23 years old at Via Christi St. Francis on July 10, 2016.
   Billie was born Jan. 11, 1993, in Great Bend, at Central Kansas Medical Center to Richard and Connie Ogden. A child full of love, empathy and orneriness, made him to be loved by many. He grew up in Ellinwood and attended Ellinwood Grade School, where his first lifelong friendships developed. Billie attended Ellinwood Middle School where he participated in track and basketball and he went on to join Cross Country in High School.
   He enjoyed being with his close group of friends, friends that will always cherish the times they had with him. Not a memory from any of his friends will ever be forgotten as his humor, and “give the shirt of his back” attitude he had, let everyone know he always loved them.
   Billie moved to Washington state with his sister Melissa and her husband to start new and find himself in this world. Sumner, Washington, was his home away from home for a year. This was the most happiest year and the highlight of his life as he absolutely loved the Pacific Northwest. The mountains, ocean and evergreens added a glimmer of light in his life that his loved ones will never forget. He worked for REI in Sumner, Wash., and Sumner Veternary Hospital in Sumner, Wash., for the year he lived there. Billie had such a passion for animals and was commended on his loyal compassion he showed towards his work there. After his sister moved back to Kansas in the fall of 2011, it wasn’t long before he moved back as well.
   Billie resided in Great Bend in his last years here. He worked for Bullseye Manufacturing in Great Bend and took a lot of pride in his welding work. He had some good times and some bad times, and through it all, would still do anything for anyone. He spent his free time sketching as he loved to draw any chance he got. Music and drawing were a release for him and something he loved spending his free time doing. One thing we will always remember is his collection of trinkets, as he loved collecting the little things. Billie added a lot of sentimental value to everything he touched.
   As a man with both passion and intense sense of empathy, he was also subject to anxiety and depression. Billie will always be remembered for his courage during difficult times and even though we know he took his life, we know he is without pain now. He made an impact on a lot of lives and his story will live in the hearts of all of his friends and family for eternity.

   Survivors include his father, Richard Ogden of Ellinwood, and mother, Connie Ogden of Broken Arrow, Okla.; sister, Melissa Pitchford, her Husband Josh Pitchford and their daughter Auroura, of Great Bend;
four uncles, Rick Ogden and wife Iris Ogden of Great Bend, Wayne Gregg and wife Rosie Gregg of Alabama, Tom Dunnaway of Laughlin, Nev., and Joe Dunnaway and wife Ruth Dunnaway of Great Bend; five aunts, Bonnie Chaney and husband Sid Chaney of Baton Rouge, La., Kim Vu and husband Hiep Vu of Houston, Texas, Lynn White and husband Sean White of Laughlin, Nev., Brenda Hayes and husband Ronald Hayes of Great Bend, and Vickie Ogden of Springfield, Mo.; grandmother Ruth Ogden of Laughlin, Nev.; cousins, Jennifer Ogden of Great Bend, Sarah Ogden of Great Bend, Lance Ogden and wife Felicia Ogden of Nixa, Mo., Jackie and husband Mark Wilkison of Springfield, Mo., Dana Vu of Texas, Caleb Simpson and wife Courtney Simpson of Baton Rouge, La., Cierra Reddig of Laughlin, Nev., Nathan Reddig and Elsa Fregozo of Laughlin, Nev.
   Preceding in death and welcoming him to his home in Heaven: Grandfathers Bill Ogden and Gene Dunnaway; Grandmothers Verna Dunnaway and Kathleen Weltmer; Uncles Lonnie Ogden and Steve Wiggs.
   This Survivor list is longer than just the primary you read above; many other cousins, second cousins from near and far as well as many people who considered Billie as a close friend will always be a survivor.
   The silver lining: Billie was an Organ Donor and many people in this country will go home with a piece of him that will allow him to live on in the lives of others.
   “You can’t live a perfect day, without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
   Visitation/Gathering will be held At Bryant Funeral Home for Friends and Family from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 17. All are welcome to come share stories and meet with Billie’s family and friends at the gathering. Funeral services will be held at CrossPoint Church where Billie attended @ 57 SE 20th Rd, Great Bend KS 67530. (South of Great Bend on 281-Harts Corner) at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
Flowers may be sent to Bryant Funeral Home for the Gathering. The family requests that donations be sent to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 14, 2016