Billee Dinges

As her father liked to say, “Billee was born on the kitchen table during a blizzard.” For the entirety of her life, she was a force of nature; never afraid of tackling anything life put in front of her. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a friend to many.

Billee passed away April 14, 2025, and was the fifth child born to Roy and Helen Fields on April 17, 1936. Her brothers Jay and Dee passed away at a young age. The Fields family with their three girls, Patsy, Nancy and Billee, moved to Twin Falls where their fourth daughter, Margaret, was born.

Billee met Cole Reed while water skiing with friends on the Snake River, rescuing him after a wipeout. They married and moved to Butte, Montana, where their three children, James, Greg and Cathy, were born. The family later moved to Los Gatos, California, where they created a wonderful home to raise their children. They enjoyed regular trips to the beach, mountains and Lake Berryessa. With children raised and living in other states, Billee and Cole moved to Hagerman, Idaho.

Billee and Cole traveled the world extensively, enabling them to experience a variety of cultures. They had the opportunity to attend international conventions, cocktail parties at the Palace of Versailles, as well as a private audience with the Dalai Lama. They were appointed to the US Congressional Advisory Board as representatives from Idaho. The sudden loss of Cole in 1990 forever changed the trajectory of her life.

Billee had a deep love of God, family and country and was active in many civic and charitable organizations. She and a friend hosted a weekly TV show for 2 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was also active in Val League, a philanthropic club, where she honed her acting skills. After moving to Idaho, Billee spearheaded the creation of the Hagerman Valley Historical Society Museum and the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. As a result of Billee’s vision and her leadership in the museum, she had the honor of delivering the Hagerman Horse fossils to the Smithsonian. It gave her great joy to see the museum continue to flourish. The Magic Valley Republican Women, which she founded in 2012, has received the Diamond Award every year since inception. Billee received the Idaho GOP’s Most Valuable Person Award in 2014. She also had the privilege of serving as an alternate delegate at the 2016 GOP Convention for President Trump.

She later built and was owner/administrator of the Au Pair assisted living facility in Twin Falls. She was later hired as CEO of East Haven Villa to design, oversee construction and manage the operations of a 70-room Assisted Living/Alzheimer care facility in Yelm, Washington.

After returning to Idaho in 2002, she married Tim Hasbrouck, the Clear Lakes Golf Club pro. She became President of the Clear Lakes Ladies Golf Association and the two of them enjoyed date nights riding around in their golf cart shooting skunks. Their time together was sadly shortened when Tim succumbed to cancer.

Billee later met and married Rich Dinges, and the pair moved to a home in the countryside near Buhl. They found joy in farming, being involved in the Clover Lutheran Church and taking part in local, state and national politics. Billee and Rich were generous hosts, opening their home on numerous occasions to family, friends and Republican dignitaries. They cared for their orchards and berry bushes, turning their fruits into preserves and wine.

Billee will be remembered as a warm and energetic woman who was dearly loved and will be missed by many. She was fiercely loyal to her beliefs and to those she loved, with her convictions never wavering. Billee never feared what awaited her on the other side.

Billee is survived by her husband, Rich Dinges; sister, Margaret (John) Janzen; sons, James (Leslee) Reed and Greg (Rachelle) Reed; daughter Cathy Reed; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

On behalf of Billee’s entire family, we would like to extend a very sincere thanks to Shirley and the staff of Enhabit Hospice, for their unwavering commitment to helping Billee & family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Hagerman Christian Center, 2750 S. 900 E., Hagerman, Idaho.

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