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On September 15, 1953, Debra Lynn Morton was born to Leonard and Joyce Morton in Chelan, WA. She was raised in Chelan and graduated from Chelan High School in 1971. She attended Kinman Business School in Spokane and began working at the Bureau of Reclamation in Manson in 1973. In 1976, she began working at the United States Forest Service at the Chelan office as the clerk stenographer and worked there until she retired in 1998. In 1985, Deb married her husband, Jim Bilyeu, of Bakersfield, CA and they had one daughter, Casi, the following year. She enjoyed her retirement and being able to focus on raising her daughter. She had the opportunity to work alongside her dear friend, Jim Rogers, at JRs Bar & Grill, from 2002-2005. She worked for Emerald Downs at that location. In January 2014, she suffered a massive stroke after the passing of her friend JR. She made a remarkable recovery and truly enjoyed life for the last 11 months. On Christmas Eve, she was diagnosed with extensive cancer and passed away peaceful on December 29th, at Lake Chelan Community Hospital, with her daughter and a few close friends at her side. Deb was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim, and two of her dear friends, Jim Rogers and Mallory Machus. She is survived by her daughter, Casi Bilyeu, of Chelan, her friend/sister, Kathy Hart, of Chelan, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and her two dogs, Bailey and Bella, all of which will miss her deeply. There will be a graveside service at the Fraternal Cemetery in Chelan on Saturday January 10, 2015 at 11 AM. A reception will follow at the Acacia Event Center, located at 319 N. Sanders St. in Chelan. Arrangements are under the care of Precht Rose Chapel, with Pastor Graham Monteleone of Real Life Lake Chelan officiating her service. A viewing will be held at Precht Rose Chapel on Friday, January 9th from 2-6 PM and is open to the public. Per Deb’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Lake Chelan Community Hospital or Real Life Lake Chelan. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Tobe Harberd and Dr. Keri Bergeson, as well as all of the nursing staff at Lake Chelan Community Hospital for their compassion and wonderful care they gave to Deb and her family. “My chains are gone. I’ve been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love. Amazing Grace.”

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Deb L. Bilyeu

September 15, 1953 - December 29, 2014

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