Betty Frances Compton

Betty Frances Compton nee Slaughter, a long-time resident of Richland and the Tri-Cities, passed away Monday morning at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland. Betty was born on a ranch on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Gypsum, Colorado, on October 11, 1919, and graduated from high school there as valedictorian of a class of six.

After a year at the University of Colorado, economic circumstances forced her back to the ranch to cook for the farm crew and later to Denver to work as a secretary. There she met Bill Compton, whom she married in January, 1942. After short stints in Denver and Salt Lake, they arrived in Richland in the winter of 1943. Betty told her family many stories of Richland's early years, when living conditions were difficult. Betty finished the war working for a Hanford construction company.

After the war Betty created a lovely home for her husband and their three sons and many of their friends on Judson Street in Richland. She was active in Central United Protestant Church. She was a long-time member of the Tri-City Country Club, where she got involved in junior golf both at the local and the state level. She was an avid gardener, decorator, knitter, booster of local youth sports teams, and an outstanding cook. Also, she loved the outdoors and fishing with family and friends.

After her sons left home, she and Bill built a house in Hills West where she enjoyed many years as a spectacular hostess, dog caretaker, and doting Grandmother. Betty loved the Christmas season; she will be remembered by many for her elaborate parties and generous cookie tins. She was an incredibly thoughtful and organized person. She enjoyed creating a home where her sons and grandchildren could have friends over, dump their ducks and deer in the driveway after hunting, and come in for a warm family meal.

When she later moved to West Richland next door to her youngest son and his family, she continued to maintain a beautiful home and active lifestyle. She would go out of her way to help friends, enjoyed the company of her grandchildren and neighborhood kids, and always stocked a snack drawer. In her 80's she continued to carry herself with elegance and charm. She was active in the Tri-City Cancer Guild and lived at Charbonneau in Kennewick, where she enjoyed playing cards and had many wonderful friends, and followed the Mariners with a passion.

Betty is survived by her three loving sons: Bill III of Oakland, California, John Jack of Redmond Oregon and Steve of Richland, Washington; her daughters-in-law Shelly, Susan, and Kerry; and her grandchildren Cassandra, Sean, and Seth.

A memorial service will be held at Memories at Sunset Event Center located on the beautiful grounds of Sunset Memorial Gardens, Thursday, March 25, at 1 pm. Memorials may be sent to the Tri-City Cancer Center or to the Washington State Junior Golf Association.