Billie Jean Rust's Obituary
Billie Jean Rust Murphy, eldest daughter of H. Arthur Rust (deceased 1936) and Margaret Bakes Rust Smith (deceased 1999) ended a battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, April 24, 2004. The granddaughter of William R. Rust, Tacoma industrialist, Â"BillieÂ" was derived from William. On April 4 she celebrated her 77th birthday. Her 1950 marriage to Dr. Thomas Murphy ended in divorce. In 1992 she married Leonard G. Docherty, who survives her at 6327 288th St. S., Roy, WA 98580. She also leaves a son, Thomas Arthur Murphy, Tacoma; grandson, Seth Thomas Murphy (Elise), of Bellingham; and three great granddaughters. Also surviving are her sisters, Peggy Sheard, Bellevue, WA, and Helen Watts (William), Del Mar, CA.Billie attended Annie Wright Seminary, Mason Junior High, and Clover Park High. After two years at Stephens College, Missouri, she graduated from the University of Washington where she was a member of Delta Gamma, and Phi Beta Kappa.Her main interest in life always centered around horses, starting as a youngster with her own riding horses. While in high school, as well in later life, she was an active member of the Woodbrook Hunt Club. While at Stephens College she learned how to show saddle horses, and successfully competed in shows up and down the Pacific Coast. She further excelled in the hunter/jumper classes and eventing with her thoroughbred gelding, Uncle Archie.Billie spent all of her life in and around the Tacoma area. She was a member of the Junior League, and served on the board of local Humane Society. For the past 20 years, she has been running a successful operation for the breeding of thoroughbred race horses at her 40-acre farm in Roy, where her two broodmares have produced several winners at tracks in Washington and California. The Washington Horse Breeders Association named Billie Â"Breeder of the MonthÂ" in March 2001, an honor largely attributed to one of her homebreds, Foxy Sneakers, placing in a $100, 000 race at Gulfstream Park, FL.In addition to her equestrian successes, Billie was a world-class marathon runner, winning medals in Senior Divisions around the country. She won first place in her age division twelve times in TacomaÂ's Sound to Narrows yearly races.After marrying Leonard in 1992, Billie spent the first two months of every year in Ketchum, ID participating in both downhill and cross-country skiing. They both enjoyed long bicycle trips and took part in several organized tours.BillieÂ's strict discipline to being completely organized and her attention to detail, combined in getting so much done successfully during her lifetime. She will be missed by both family and friends.At the request of the decedent, there will not be a funeral or memorial service.Donations may be made in BillieÂ's name to The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County, 2808 Center Street, Tacoma, WA 98409.
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