Obituaries

Patsy Bilger of Forney, Texas passed away on 30 Dec 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. There will be a gravesite ceremony for family and close friends at 10 AM on 11 Jan 2025, at the West Hill Cemetery, Sherman, Texas, where Patsy will be laid to rest next to her husband. At 3:30 PM on 11 Jan 2025, there will be a Celebration of Life event at the First United Methodist Church, Mesquite, Texas, where all are welcome.

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Patricia (“Patsy”) Arleen Dollar was born in 1941 in Itasca, Texas as the first child of Cicero Kelly (“CK”) Dollar (1919-2010) and Mamie Lousie Dollar (born Brackin) (1921-2014). Within a few years, she had two sisters, Janet Carol Vance (born Dollar) and Debra Jean Parsons (born Dollar). The Dollar family moved to the Dallas, Texas area after WWII and Patsy graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1959.

In 1960, she married Robert Allen Sanders (1938-2023), bought a home in the Mesquite, Texas
area, and worked at the First United Methodist Church of Mesquite as an Organist. She also taught piano lessons at home and worked as a secretary at another business. Patsy gave birth to two healthy boys, Michael Allen Sanders (1963) and Mark Steven Sanders (1964). In 1971, Patsy and Robert were divorced.

In 1971, Patsy married Charles Vernon Bilger (1940-1995). Vernon had a daughter from his previous marriage, Susan Diana Rowley (born Bilger) (1967), and the two families became one quickly. Patsy and Vernon worked together for many years at the Dallas Science Museum in Fair Park, Texas, all the while maintaining her organist position at the Methodist Church in Mesquite (she played the organ for this church for 60 years!). Patsy was active in the Church and started a Bell Choir which continued for many decades. She was active in the Republican Party and was a Precinct Chairman multiple times. In the late 1980s, Patsy and Vernon opened the Raven Electronics business, moved to Forney, Texas, and built a beautiful custom home on two acres where she lived the remainder of her life. It should be remembered that this church going woman was a great lady and would surprise you with her gumption and significant knowledge of sports. Not just one sport, but Football (Dallas Cowboys), Baseball (Texas Rangers), Basketball (Dallas Mavericks), and Hockey (Dallas Stars). She and her friends had season tickets to Dallas Stars games for years and she knew all the players’ names and stats!

In 2023, Patsy’s dementia reached a point where she required 24-hour care and was moved to Glendale, Arizona to be closer to family. In December, Patsy went into hospice care and passed peacefully to be with the Lord on 30 Dec 2024.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents CK (2010) and Mamie (2014); and her husband Vernon (1995). She never remarried after Vernon’s death.

Patsy is survived by her sisters Janet (Danny Vance) and Debra (Doug Parsons); her children Michael (Jennifer), Mark, and Susan (Denton Rowley); grandchildren Vivian Sanders, Nathaniel Sanders, Maestro Sanders, Jami Sanders, Ashley Sanders, Steven Rowley, and Matthew Rowley; and great-grandchildren Conor Olson, Lucas Olson, Everett Sanders, Freya Sanders, Asher Sanders, Warrick Lewis, Jocelyn Lewis, Elisa Lewis, Stanley Rowley, Kimber Rowley, and
Buckley Rowley.

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If you wish to donate in honor of Patsy, please consider giving to an Alzheimer’s related charity
or to the Musical Program at the First United Methodist Church, Mesquite, Texas.