Billie was born on June 27, 1933 in Dallhart, Texas to Audrey (Bobbi) W. Green and Harry B. Pence. She shared a happy childhood with younger sister Shari (Pence) Brammer.
John Deere Company played an important role in Billie’s life. Her father, an executive at the company, meant moving around to multiple cities for Billie and her sister Shari. Their final childhood was spent in Portland, Oregon.
Love waited for Billie at John Deere where she met her future husband Ralph Lourie through their fathers. Billie and Ralph were married in 1955 in the First Congregational Church in Moline, Illinois. The grace of this love gave them two daughters, Victoria (Vicki) Lourie, Stilwell, Kansas and Rebecca (Becky) A. Lourie, Olathe, Kansas. Billie and Ralph were married until his death in 2013.
In her lifetime, Billie’s caregiving nature and sense of humor were a blessing to all. Her gentleness and casual style were contagious to guests as she kicked off her shoes in her home to get comfy.
Billie’s hospitality and dessert making skills were well known among friends and family. She was known as the“fudge lady”. At Christmas time she made fudge and baked many cookies and was famous for her home-made ice cream – a tradition that is continued today by her nieces and nephews. She also gave gifts of cookies where she’d bake a different cookie each month. In summer’s Billie spent time on a farm in California, Missouri at Uncle
Abe and Aunt Bers. She’d come home talking about memories of collecting eggs from the chickens.
Billie and her family were passionate about their four pet Schnauzers who were considered part of the family.
Billie was beloved by her family and friends who will dearly miss her. The poet Flavia Weedn expressed feelings about Billie this way, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
The family of Billie Lourie is deeply grateful for the loving caregivers at her home. Azria Health and Harbour Hospice, who provided her final care.
Service
A celebration of life was held for Billie in Olathe, Kansas on November 14, 2021.
Memorial Contributions
Billie was an ardent supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Donations may be made in her name to:
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=2&sc_icid=mem-lp-donate-bttn-top
Memories may be submitted through Billie’s online obituary at http://www.cremationcenterkc.com
