Billie Jo Piccirillo

Billie Piccirillo was born on September 30, 1930, in Fort Worth, Texas, the youngest of four children to parents Alonzo and Mintie Evans,. She grew up in Fort Worth and graduated cum laude from Polytechnic High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation, Billie went to work as a legal secretary for a Fort Worth law firm.

Billie met Pete Piccirillo, an airman stationed at Carswell Air Force Base, at a roller skating party hosted by the USO. In his typical mischievous way, Pete told her a “tall tale” about his background. She saw right though him, saying “it was all just Yankee talk.” They were married at Englewood Baptist Church on January 5, 1951. Their marriage was blessed with three sons and a daughter. Billie and Pete lived first in Arlington; moved to Detroit, Michigan; and settled in Mansfield, Texas.

While living in Arlington, Billie taught Sunday School to preschoolers for eleven years at Meadowbrook Baptist Church, served as Program Chair for WMU, and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. In Detroit, Billie served as Church Secretary for Harvest Baptist Church. After moving to Mansfield, Billie volunteered as an instructor for the Mansfield Adult Literacy Program.

She and Pete held a lifetime membership in Walnut Creek Country Club where she served as Membership & Publicity Chair for the Ladies Golf Association. They were charter members of the Retired Couples Golf Association.

Billie was an avid tennis player and golfer with the reputation of “hitting it straight down the middle.” She loved playing Bridge every week and Canasta as much as she could. Reading and working crossword puzzles in her free time, she also displayed her skills at trivia watching television game shows. One of her favorite pastimes was shopping with her daughter, Janith.

She was a current member of First Methodist Church Mansfield and the Wesley Sunday School class and claimed the words of Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Billie was predeceased by brothers Elwyn and Floyd, and sister Leota.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Janith Williams and husband Mike; sons, Barry, Steven and Tom Piccirillo; daughters-in-law, Wendy, Michelle and Linda Piccirillo;

nine grandchildren: Heather Piccirillo, Katie Piccirillo, Peter Piccirillo and wife, Amanda; Michael Piccirillo and wife Heidi; Tommy Piccirillo, Andy Piccirillo, Amanda Miranda and husband, Anthony; Tyler Williams and Evan Williams. She loved and adored her six great-grandchildren, Anthony, Carmine, Vincent, AJ, and twins, McKaylynn and Brooklynn.