Billie Jean Hollis

Billie was born in Borger, Texas to Gaston W. Hill and Nancy Fidella Whitmire. She is predeceased by her parents and her husband, Richard Hollis. Billie is survived by her children, Scott Bradshaw, Brian Bradshaw and Christine Bradshaw (John Babis).

She was a military wife and enjoyed experiencing other cultures by living and traveling overseas. She lived in Germany twice and Belgium once, traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Holy Lands. After retirement she enjoyed cruising to places like the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Alaska and the Mississippi River.

Billie valued education, which she pursued later in life. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from University of Maryland, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University and a Specialist Degree in Counseling (Distinguished Graduate) from St Mary's University. She opened her own Marriage and Family Therapy Counseling Practice focused on children and specialized in play therapy, acting as an expert witness when necessary.

Billie was an accomplished artist. In her youth she won awards for her accordion playing and performed on the Lawrence Welk Show. During retirement she enjoyed weaving at the Southwest School of Art and more recently rekindled her love of painting, setting up an easel looking out on the treetops from her second floor apartment.

She recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends via Zoom from her home in San Antonio.

She was a long time member of First Baptist Church of San Antonio serving as Chairman of the Ministry to Refugee Committee. In that role she journeyed to the Far East, working with Mother Theresa in India, and delivering letters and money to relatives of the refugees. She was also an Oblate of the Benedictine Sisters of Boerne Texas. In recent years she joined the non-denominational services and bible study at Independence Hill Retirement Resort Community.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 from 3 to 7pm at Sunset Funeral Home at 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78218.

A graveside service will be on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 10:30am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter 3 at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Instead of flowers, Billie requests donations be made to First Baptist Church San Antonio https://fbcsa.org/giving or The Festival Center in Washington, DC. https://festivalcenter.networkforgood.com/