Billie was born in Pontiac, Michigan on July 9, 1925, and raised by her parents Myrtle (Swayze) and Roy F. Smith in Birmingham, Michigan, along with her brother Ronald (Marion) Smith. After graduating from Baldwin High School in 1943 and Michigan State College in 1947, she married Robert K. Ford of Pontiac, Michigan in 1948 (b.1924,d.2009). They lived in Lake Orion, Michigan with their four children until 1962, then moved to Rochester, Michigan. Billie worked at the Troy-Bloomfield Tennis House for eleven years and volunteered at the Neighborhood house in Rochester Hills. She belonged to St. Paul's Methodist Church, Rochester. She and Bob enjoyed reading, travelling throughout the United States and Canada, tennis, and cross-country skiing. After retirement, they would spend their winters in Bradenton Florida where they took up golf and enjoyed many new friendships. They were members of Tara Golf and Country Club in Brandenton Florida for 22 years.
She is survived by her four children, Karen (Bill) Chapman, Tom (Gail) Ford, Stan (Rose) Ford, and Janet Ford, as well as seven grandchildren, Robert (Samantha) Chapman, John Chapman, Jason (Melissa) Ford, Ryan (Olivia) Ford, Amy (Danny) Carbone, Lauren Ford, and Chris (Sarah) Ford. She was the proudest great-grandmother of thirteen great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her grandson, Mathew Chapman.
Her church, friends, and family meant so much to her, as did the staff of Bellbrook (Rochester Hills), Homestead, and Lily Hospice who cared so well for her in her final years. The family also wishes to thank the gentle and compassionate staff at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital and Compassus Hospice for easing her transition.
Interment will be in the Garden of Hope at St. Paul's and a private celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Donations can be made to the Neighborhood House, 1720 S. Livernois, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; The Garden of Hope and St. Paul's Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Street, Rochester, MI 48307.
Billie and her family are so grateful to God for her life, for your friendship and for your kindness and prayers.
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