Billie Hutcheson (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Billie Lee Hutcheson, the daughter of Will and Oma Hendrickson, was born on May 2, 1931 in Bolivar MO. For almost 91 years, Billie lived an incredibly inspirational life of faith, family, students, and friends. Before passing this life into her heavenly reward, Billie spread joy, love, encouragement, fun, and so much laughter and good cheer to generations of students and friends. It was her family that was her special world, a world that brought her so much happiness that she would burst with pride sharing all the blessings, pictures, stories, each member gave to her.
On August 2, 1951, Billie married Gene Hutcheson, and together they shared 67 years of marriage until the passing of Gene in 2018.
Survivors include their son, Jim and his wife Jeanette, and their daughter, Jill and her husband Tom Carter. Billie and Gene had three grandchildren: Jimmy Hutcheson and his wife, Elizabeth, Nicole Pugh and her husband, Jason, and Cole Carter and his wife Megan. The ultimate blessing was three great-grandchildren:
Georgia Kate Pugh, William Pugh, and James Hutcheson. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, each of whom held a special place in Billie's heart.
Billie was an elementary school teacher; her career began at Bear Creek for a couple of years before Billie began teaching 5th grade in the Bolivar School System. Teaching children was her passion, and she was the expert at making each child feel special and loved as she pushed them to be the best they could be in a very positive way. Just like everything Billie did, she made learning fun and exciting for the kids.
Billie's passion for positive fun and a dedication to helping others was portrayed in every aspect of her life. For years, she taught 5th grade boys in the Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Bolivar, and there was hardly ever a dinner of any kind served at First Baptist that Billie didn't bring something special to share. Even when she was struggling with failing health, she could be seen carrying a sheet cake with one hand inside to the community room while walking with a cane in the other hand. She was determined to do her part for as long as possible. She was a faithful member of the Mary Martha Sunday school class, which she treasured deeply.
Her many accomplishments included:
Being a member of Kappa Kappa Iota, a National Teachers Sorority; Professional Education Organization (PEO);
Lifetime Service Award from Southwest Baptist University; Master Teacher Award from Bolivar School System;
Together with Gene she received the Bolivar Civic Service Award. Billie's unofficial (but equally impressive) contributions included:
Lifetime charter member of CMH Auxiliary;
Charter member and head organizer of the Silo Ridge Ladies Auxiliary;
Lead organizer of the monthly ladies bridge/domino luncheon at Silo Ridge; Lead organizer of at least three regular weekly breakfast groups, 2 lunch groups;
By hosting showers in her home, she was the lead organizer, promoter, cheerleader for countless young men and women of Bolivar who were planning marriage, welcoming new babies;
Lead organizer and planner for all ages celebrating anniversaries and other major events in their lives.
What made Billie so very special. .. so unique and so loved ... was encouraging smile and positive words. And as with all lives, the little things are what people will always remember. Her co-workers, her friends, even the teenage boys who mowed her lawn, always will treasure something about Billie. The hidden drawer of chocolate candy for children in her home and things like this are the gifts of wonderful memories Billie leaves for all who knew her.
The family wishes to thank the skilled and attentive staff at Parkview Health Care facility for the excellent care they gave to Billie, to Gene, and to all the family. They also express huge gratitude and love to Billie's friends, who devoted themselves to caring for Billie these last several years with so much love, attention, and time. Their mother's friends are considered to be part of Billie's extended family.
Services for Billie will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the time of service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gene and Billie Hutcheson Scholarship fund or to the CMH School of Nursing Scholarship fund.
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