Billie L. Pierce

Billie Louise Pierce (90) died on July 11, 2011, at Deaconess Medical Center following a short illness. Billie Louise was born February 4, 1921 in Ririe, Idaho to William and Emma Kunter and graduated from Shelley High School. She enrolled at the University of Idaho in 1939 where she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi. She met Charles Murphy, Jr., of Nampa, Idaho while they were students. They were married in February 1942 following his graduation. He was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lt. through ROTC. Billie joined him at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA where he was stationed with the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment. Their son, Charles Murphy III was born November 1942. Billie and baby Chuck moved to Carmel, CA when Charles was transferred to Ft. Ord. CA. They lived there while Charles was with military operations against the Japanese in May 1943 in the Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Charles returned to Fort Ord until he was deployed to the Marshall Islands. He was killed in February 1944 in Kwajalein Atoll. Billie and her young son settled in Boise, Idaho. In November of 1947, she married George Eugene Pierce, MD, a native of Lacrosse, WA. They settled in Spokane where Gene completed his medical internship at Deaconess Hospital. Following the birth of daughter, Anne Louise, the family moved to Millwood where Dr. Pierce established his family medical practice. A son, John Fay, joined the family in 1951. Billie was very involved in Girl Scouts as well as the local and state Parent Teacher Association. She also served on the West Valley School Board during the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was active in the League of Women Voters and Pi Beta Phi alumni association as well as a very active member of Millwood Community Presbyterian Church. Billie and Gene moved into Rockwood Community Estates in 1992. Following 55 years of marriage, Gene died in 2002. Billie is survived by her children, Chuck (Donna) of Cheney; Anne (Will) Aslin, Millwood, and John, Sequim, WA; three grandsons, Christopher Pierce (Heidi), Spokane Valley; Major Tim Pierce (Lisa), Barkesdale Air Force Base, LA; and Andrew Aslin, Spokane Valley; two great-grandchildren of Spokane Valley; two step great-grandchildren in LA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite, Millwood. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may go to the Millwood Presbyterian Church Foundation, Girl Scouts of Eastern WA and Northern ID (GSEWNI) 1404 N. Ash, Spokane, 99201, or the League of Women Voters of the Spokane Area, 2404 N. Howard St., Spokane 99205. Arrangements entrusted to Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. Monroe St. in Spokane.