Billie J. King

Billie Janét King, 89, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2023 with her only daughter by her side.  Billie was the youngest of three girls born to Walter Asbury and Ettie Pearl Kern in Cooper, Texas. In 1952, Billie graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, TX and met her future husband, Billy Joe King.  On Nov. 17, 1953, Bill and Billie were married and began their 55-year marriage that lasted until Bill’s death in 2008.  Before the birth of their first child, Billie worked as a clerk at Mobil Oil in Dallas, TX.  They later moved to St. Louis, MO where they had their first and only child, Dana.  At that point, Billie became a stay-at-home mom taking care of the baby and their home.  In the years that followed, Bill’s career with the railroad took them to Omaha, NE.  Upon retirement they moved to Kansas City to be near their daughter Dana and her husband Tom and their children Emily and Abbey.

Once in Kansas City, Billie became very involved in the ministries of Holmeswood Baptist Church.  If you needed a meal for anything, she was your lady!  She provided meals for a variety of events, including VBS, special events, church picnics, and one of her favorites, making meals to serve at Forest Avenue Baptist Church.  Once per month she prepared a large meal to serve to the women and children who sheltered there.  Her family also benefitted from her cooking talents as we were regularly invited over for Sunday dinners.

Billie will be remembered for her fierce loyalty, quick wittedness, and her giving spirit.  She would literally do anything for family! She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe King, her parents, Walter Asbury and Ettie Pearl Kern, and her sisters Louise Smith and Tommie Jean Cook. She is survived by her daughter Dana Bart and son-in-law Tom, 2 granddaughters, Emily Schieber (Kyle), and Abbey Bart, both of Kansas City.  

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in Billie’s name to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care. https://www.kchospice.org/donation/     Their compassionate care assisted both Billie and her family with her end-of-life care. We are eternally grateful!  A special thanks to Jessica, Robin, Dave, and Dawn!