October 17, 1923 ~ April 24, 2026
It was over a century ago that Willie Mae Lyonne (Hanna) Frost, appeared on the stage of life. She was born the second of four daughters of Thomas C. “Hop” Hanna and Mary (Ballard) Hanna, on October 17, 1923. Our beloved Billye, as was best known, departed this life on April 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
A woman of many words, she spent years behind a desk balancing accounts. Billye retired from Eastern State Hospital in Vinita, leaving behind a job and many friends she loved. In addition to /working outside the home, she farmed and raised cattle, primarily in northeast Oklahoma, with her husband of 74 years, Claude Edward Frost. Over the years they would wear out multiple tillers, creating well planned gardens that fed many neighbors and friends. Billye owned and operated a home daycare for many years. She helped countless parents school future honor students. She was known by members of the educational community as someone that had her daycare children prepared above the entry level expected of first time students. The babies that passed through the doors of her daycare/preschool were deeply loved by Billye and Claude Ed.
Never far from her roots, she could be found crocheting, working crossword puzzles, embroidering, reading, cooking award winning dishes, talking on the phone, playing Scrabble with anyone of any age that would dare to sit at her table. She even paid a couple of grandkids, which would take her on for hours, not leaving the game to eat a meal, because the challenge would be too intense for them both. Billye could be found playing herself at Scrabble when she could not find an opponent that wanted to face another anticipated defeat. She was not afraid to take on family or friends in an evening of “Pitch” frequently accusing her husband of dealing off the bottom of the deck. What endless laughter (mainly from Claude) could be heard from these entertaining card games.
Billye married Claude on August 22, 1943, Jay, Oklahoma. Born to this union was an only child, Mitchell Frost, that she delighted in spoiling rotten.
Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters, Roberta Deacon, Daphna Huffman, Wilma “Babe” Woolman, brother, James Hanna, brother in-laws, Roy Huffman and Oliver Woolman, granddaughters, Michelle and Melissa Frost, and grandson, John Frost.
Billye is survived by her son, Mitchell Frost and wife Trudy, grandson, Todd Frost, granddaughter, Lori (Frost) Armon and husband Len, great-grandchildren, Stefen Frost, Ashley and Alexis Armon, Mitchell Finley, Jerred Morrison, Emily Frost, and three great-great-grandchildren; She had a special relationship with her niece, Charlotte Corlett-Bruce. Charlotte would visit Billye almost daily and sometimes twice a day at Heartsworth Nursing Center.
Billye loved the Lord and spent many hours studying the Bible, sharing, and teaching the Word of God. She was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Vinita. She will be missed by those that had the honor of knowing and loving her. “Rest well Momma, until we meet again.” Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. “Vinita’s only locally family owned and operated funeral home.”