Betty Lou Acheson

 Betty Lou Acheson passed away early in the morning of Thursday, August 25, 2023, after spending the previous afternoon listening to stories and memories with her two children. The daughter of Robert James (Rob) and Sarah Belle (Belva) Willingham, Betty was born at home in Emmett, Idaho, narrowly preceded by twin brother, Teddy, into the world on March 4, 1929.  She grew up in Emmett with Ted and siblings, Bill, Margie and Evelyn.  She graduated from Emmett High School in 1947.

 Betty married Paul Acheson in 1947.  In 1952 they had son, Bob, and shortly thereafter moved to McCall, Idaho to start a new car repair business with Paul’s brother, Vernon.  In 1960, daughter, Carol, arrived.  Besides being an active mom and homemaker, Betty was an integral business partner in this growing company.  Betty handled all the bookkeeping chores for many years, along with a healthy dose of ‘miscellaneous’, including greeting customers and making tasty lunches for the brothers to take on extended wrecker calls into the McCall backcountry.  

 Paul and Betty moved back to their Emmett roots in 2007 and continued to enjoy their retirement with camping trips around the west, and spending time with friends, family and grandchildren.  

 As a teenager, Betty devoted her life to Christ, and was active in her church.  She was an accomplished musician, frequently serving as the primary pianist or organist.   She played for countless weddings and was a sought-after accompanist who could make nearly any singer better by transposing on the fly. While she remained humble (most of the time!), she loved to play to appreciative audiences.  Even in her last years, she drew a crowd in the retirement home with sing-alongs and playing favorites for her fellow residents and staff.
  
 Betty was also known for her seamstress abilities. She took tailoring classes and made many beautiful garments, often just from a picture, and helped new brides with wedding dresses.  She was a welcoming hostess and cooked up a storm for church events and family gatherings.  

 Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, after 68 years of marriage, and her two brothers and sisters.  She is survived by two children, Bob & Carol; two grandchildren, Courtney and Colin; five great grandchildren, Natalie, Allyson, Summer, Marcus and Isaiah; sister-in-law, Billie Acheson, and numerous nieces and nephews.  

 A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett.   A memorial service will start at 11:00am the next day, Thursday, September 7, 2023, with interment to follow at Emmett Cemetery.  Friends and family are invited to a luncheon and memory-sharing at Community Bible Church (120 E 3rd Street, Emmett) burial at the cemetery.  

 Betty loved her church family and the strong support she’s enjoyed over the years.  In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes your support of the Community Bible Church expansion project (emmettcbc.com, or the address above), now breaking ground on a new church facility in Emmett.
 

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