May 29, 1961 - Dec. 5, 2025
Date of Service: Dec. 17, 2025
BURLEY – Deborah Lorraine Valdez, a 64-year-old resident of Burley, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025, at her home in Burley.
Deborah was born May 29, 1961, at the Cassia County hospital. She was the fifth of seven children coming from Leo L. Bill and Lauretta June Hodge. She was raised in Rupert, Idaho in a very loving Latter-day Saint home.
Deborah grew up on a small farm, growing vegetables, fruit trees, and raised various farm animals alongside her siblings. During harvest season they canned hundreds and hundreds jars of jams, jellies, fruits, and vegetables. This provided healthy meals for the big nine-person family all year long. They all chipped in their portion of work at the farm especially with the animals. The family enjoyed playing games, and getting together outside to enjoy the outdoors. They also loved playing board games when they were inside with their father. Inside of the home Deborah learned alongside her family how to tie quilts, along with many other crafts.
Deborah loved chess, board games, cards, and singing karaoke with her sisters. Deborah was a wonderful and talented artist with amazing fashion. Her sense of humor as well as her belly laugh were contagious to everyone. After moving to Las Vegas for a few years, she returned back to Burley where she worked at Ore-Ida foods, which is now known as McCain’s. This is where she met and married Margarito Valdez. They became proud parents of beautiful twin boys Christian, and Eric Valdez. These twin boys were Deborah’s pride and joy, she raised them in Burley.
Deborah graduated from Minico High School with the class of 1979. Deborah always loved to complete her assignments one week in advance. Deborah was also an avid reader, consuming book after book. Alongside reading, she also wrote amazing poetry that her family considered epic.
Deborah is survived by her two sons, Chris and Eric Valdez, of Twin Falls, Her siblings, Steven Leo Bill of Rupert, Matthew and Helen Bill of Rupert, Rachel Bill Kelsey, of Paul, brother-in-law William Holgate, of Jackpot, Nevada, and Richard Ball of Homedale. She is preceded in death by parents Leo and June, along with Rebecca Holgate, Ruthie Koch, Ellenberger Bill, and Sarah Bill Ball.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Emerald 1st Ward, located at 300 South 500 West, in Heyburn, Idaho, where a viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at the Paul Cemetery.
