Good Bye Billie

Billie Day Jones

August 7, 1923 ~ January 16, 2016

It is with heavy heart that we report to the community one of our pioneering Shore Club members and beloved neighbor, Wilma Mary Kathleen Day Jones, known to many around the lake simply as Billie, died Saturday, January 16 after a sudden illness. She was in the loving presence of family at the time of her passing. 

Born in Okanogan, Washington, Billie was the second of two daughters born to Lyman and Esther Day. She spent her girlhood on her parents' apple orchard ranch in the Boston Heights area 'chasing jackrabbits and swimming in the Okanogan River' as she would fondly remember. 

Billie briefly attended college at Washington State University, until she heeded the call of duty to her country as WWII began. She was among the first young women to venture to the other Washington and later Miami, FL, working for the government and Red Cross to help the war effort. She was thrilled with her independent life and made many friends, with whom she remained in contact for years to come.

On April 13, 1947 she married Charles Arthur Jones, a handsome U.S. Marine, whom she met on a blind date orchestrated by her mother. Bud and Billie settled in a cottage on Angle Lake, where they continued making and nurturing lifelong friendships. In their 66 years together, they lived life to the fullest; raising children, swimming and sailing, skiing, partying, traveling, and relishing the company of family and friends. Their July 4 celebrations will forever remain a staunch family tradition. In her later years, despite the weather or the month, Billie was famous for inviting anyone she met to 'come on out for a swim at Angle Lake!' 

Billie loved music, singing, dancing, and being a center of festivities. She instilled a love of music in her three children and was insistent they all learn to play an instrument. She treasured her beautiful home on Angle Lake and would express her gratitude every day for all her blessings. She is survived by her children Nancy Erickson (Glenn), Andrew Jones (Lois), and Kacey Jones Miller (Bruce) and her sister Joy Sullivan. Billie was preceded in death by her husband, her beloved 'Bud'. She cherished her eleven grandchildren. She lived to see eight of her nine great grandchildren, missing by only four days the arrival of her ninth.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 29 at 11:00 am at St. Philomena Catholic Church, 1790 South 222 Street, Des Moines, WA 98198, followed by a gathering at her home. Memorial gifts may be made to Wounded Warriors or the Seattle Audubon Society.