Paula Ilene Jones

Paula Ilene Beair Jones, “Miss Billye”, 90, went to her heavenly home to rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior, on March 20, 2015. She passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends and is now dancing with the angles.

Miss Billye, a legend in Plano, was born on July 22, 1924 in Havana, Kansas. Miss Billye was an amazing personality. She brought it to life every day through her students at “Miss Billye’s School of Dance.” Her love for dance began in the Great Depression with Almost nothing to her name, she and her best friend, Doris Childress, saved enough money to afford one lesson a week. Taking turns going to class, they taught each other what they had learned. And so her legend began…

Miss Billye was a Master of tap dancing and taught for over 50 years. Her love of the art flourished through every student she had the pleasure of teaching. Although she eventually retired in 2010, her contagious and enormous personality and love of life never ceased to grow.

Miss Billye is survived by her husband Gordon Jones of Plano, Texas; her daughter and son-in-law, Jana and Skip Simpson of Frisco, Texas; her son and daughter-in –law Bo and Jody Buchanan of Howe, Texas. Miss Billye is also survived by five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, Mechelle and John Dubois, Gavin and Maci of Houston, Texas; Brandi and Mike Sanner, Madison and Nick of Houston, Texas; Kyle and Sara Simpson, Cole and Claire of San Antonio, Texas; Brook Buchanan and Robert Senich and Bobby of Fairview, Texas; and James Buchanan of Mesquite, Texas.

Miss Billye’s Celebration of Life will be at Ted Dickey Funeral Home on March 25, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. She was laid to rest at Plano Mutual Cemetery.