It's been almost 8 months since she passed and Billie has been on my mind.  I'm getting ready to start my Master's program in Communication Education and when soul searching to find my path after graduating I really thought about my last conversation with her, just days prior to her passing.  She told me to pursue my passion, to find a way to educate others and speak, use my voice.  I truly believe she helped guide me and find a program that is such a perfect fit.  Her voice, life lessons, firm determination in educating others will forever be embedded within me.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about her.  For an educator to have such a profound impact on so many students and humans in general shows us how God works through someone and creates beautiful human beings.  I am so thankful to have known such a person.

I was so sad to learn of Billie Jean's transition--deeply sad.  She sat in on my graduate seminar in communication theory several years ago--always the humble scholar she taught me more than I believe I taught her.  This course's students were not an easy group--malcontents to say the lease - yet Billie Jean had a way about her in how she supported me and helping them "see" the wealth of wisdom they were being exposed to.  I am so blessed to have had the pleasure of meeting her, exploring ideas with her and just being in her presence.  Dr. Kathy Adams

It's been roughly 7 months since Mrs. Wiebe has passed, yet there has not been a moment when I haven't thought about her grace and advice to me. I couldn't afford college, I was lost, no money for books and I hadn't even paid for my classes. Mrs. Wiebe walked me to her office and handed me every copy I needed for the semester from her own personal library. I, of course, cried and she held me for a few minutes. She told me that I am on a bright path and no matter what, I will find my way. I wish I had gotten the chance to tell her that I got a full scholarship to another university. Her spirit was- is- beautiful. She always said God is a woman, and she's at mono lake. I would like to send my love and thoughts to her family. I know it's late, but she has been on my mind all day. Thank you, Mrs. Wiebe, for the hope and love you gave to me. 

Billie and I shared the experience of completing the doctoral program at Claremont Graduate University. We also shared family history experiences. I have family who live in Clovis and family who resided in Kansas. So we had camaraderie at more than one level. She made me feel comfortable in academia and at times felt like family.  Thank you Billie Jean

I am beyond the reach of words. Herein lies a wayward traveler grieving the loss of a lexicon giant, a true diva of language, a masterful tactician of the staredown craft, and a bowling icon: 

Billie Jean, I celebrate your galactic tenacity, the resilience of your unbreakable tether to uplift the broken and the misunderstood; I marvel at the sagacity of your soul-nurturing mantras with all the ferocious wit to rival that of even the ancients. You've worked a miracle over this visage of personality. 

Your love of language spoke to the messy parts of my life. Words that made me contemplate strange new wisdom. A thing of gravity rearranged into weightlessness: I floated with your advice and thrived. "Be you."

Now, I am heartbroken. 

Billie Jean, you were the light that saved me from suicide. Just a livewire of jolting wreck trying to sort between lies and the good life, I was overwhelmed by your acceptance of me because I couldn't even see forgiveness for myself. But you banished the darkness and allowed me to glitter in joy and strike a pose. The fabulous you, saw the fabulous within me. Even mayhems will crack under love and dazzle. 

Billie Jean, you are a phenomenal woman. Your legacy is in every life you've touched, in every student you've taught, in every poetry you've read. You've taught me that imagination is the closest we will forge to compassion and that empathy is truly the antidote to shame. Even in the aftermath of catastrophe, there will be light there too.

For all the things I've left unsaid, I am sorry. And for all the years I've missed, convinced it was because of work or mileage, distance and continents, I am crestfallen. But to the yesteryears and the soaring moments we've shared, I will always cherish the memories of your meditations on life and reflect solemnly with gratitude to have known a true wordsmith queen. A poetic diamond bespoken to all who knew her.

Between the lines of enjambment / An ocean of tears.

I love you, Billie Jean.

Billie Jean was a steady rock. When you were in her presence you knew you were truly heard. She taught me the meaning of truly stopping and hearing the words of others. She taught me to think more deeply, reach farther, try harder. She saw the potential in everyone and simply demanded they saw it for themselves as well. She accepted nothing less. For that, I will be forever grateful.  Thank you for the time you took with me and so many others you mentored through the years. Your impact on this world was not small, and will not be forgotten!

She was one of those exacting professors in college who would peer over her glasses at you, asking questions that stirred the very foundation of your being and identity. She not only saw potential but knew how to get students to reach beyond what they thought possible and grow.

At the time I still sat in the back of the class, caught in a habit of observation, afraid to speak, and a slave to people-pleasing (it's still a struggle sometimes).

"You can speak up more. People need to hear what you have to say."

I didn't believe it at the time but her words lingered and gave me hope...maybe the stirring in my soul to write and speak was not a pipe dream. Maybe it was a divine invitation?

Over the years she became a dear friend, trusted confidant, and mentor. We lost touch over two years ago. When I learned she was gone, regret soaked through me but through the tears, a glimmer of gratitude emerged and a punch of truth.

​We take nothing to the grave​: not our clothes, our accomplishments, our stuff, or even our books. The only things that linger after we pass are​ people's memories and experiences of us​.

I'm still feeling and reeling from the loss of Billie Jean, but I am thankful too. Thankful that I was able to know her, love her, and be loved by her.

She played a significant part in my character development, finding my voice, my four published books, and the books yet to come...her voice still resounds in my heart: Your voice matters. Your story matters. Speak up, my friend. There are people who need to hear what you have to say.

She will also be my beloved professor, mentor, and friend. May each of us live, write, and have as profound an impact on the people around us as she did.

My love and prayers are with all those grieving her loss, especially Richard who was also a wonderful professor and friend (I still have the book RED that you gave me Richard). 

We Heard this sad new over Christmas.. Joe has had many Coaches Mentors and Teachers guide his way thru his life. She was his Advisor  and Professor helping with his entrance and journey to graduation at FPU.  I will be forever grateful for the support and guidance she gave Joe. She played such an integral Role in his success and my heart and prayers go out to her family, colleagues, and friends May she Rest In Peace 🙏

Billie Jean was a lovely woman. I have an image of her smiling at the English Majors' barbecue in Eleanor Nickel's back yard. I never had a class with her, but her caring presence and the light she brought to campus were touching to me, nonetheless.

I only had the pleasure of having Billie Jean once during my time at FPU - Text and Performance in 2004. I can still hear her voice coaching and encouraging me as I wrestled with how to better myself. Her office door always seemed open and I enjoyed walking down the hallway to see if she could chat. I am deeply saddened by her passing. Praying for comfort for her family and friends.

I am so sad to hear that Dr. Wiebe has passed away. I had her for Oral Communication during the spring semester of last year. I loved her class. She was always so happy to be in the classroom. She never missed an opportunity to share about her life and her family. I will miss her and the mentorship that she offered. Prayers for your family. 

I have such fond memories of Billie Jean from my time at FPU. Taking her oral communications course was nerve racking at first. When you would speak, she would stare at you the entire time, and there would be a long pause before she would provide feedback. Those pauses felt like eons. Everything she would say after that pause, I held onto, and have carried on to my work today.  I am now a program manager for an anti-human trafficking agency, and it is always important to make sure what I say will make an impact on those who hear it. I owe my ability to publicly speak to her. She will be greatly missed, future student will be missing out on such a great opportunity to learn from her, and I am grateful for the time I had in her classroom and in our discussions in the coffee shop. I offer my deepest condolences to her family and close friends. 

Billie Jean was legendary. I was a student at FPU ‘06-‘08. She made us read every sort of offensive book - the kind that stayed with us for decades - and, of course, being the wise teacher, knew we would glean so much knowledge about ourselves. She taught us how to think critically, perceptively, and reflectively. She blew us all away with her poetry readings. Any student who has sat through her class was bound to be changed. She was just fantastic. It was such a honor to know and learn from the Wiebes. 

Billie Jean was the most influential professor and mentor to me during my time at Fresno Pacific University. She helped me overcome a fear of reading out loud that I struggled with since childhood. She’s empathetically listened, encouraged, and challenged me to discover my true self and beliefs. 
I looked up to her and will greatly miss her. 
Molly Tatum

Sadden, to hear of a great and lovable teacher whom connected with a student like me. I appreciate the comments she gave me through out the course. I truly will miss her smile and her encouraging words. God bless her family. 
With love,
Pastor Joaquin Hobdy. 

Billie Jean gave me one of the most precious gifts I have received from another human being.  Her guidance and teaching helped me find my voice after a series of life events had taken it away.  Years after my graduation, her counsel was freely given as I wrestled with questions about career, managing the work of other human beings, and helping people learn and grow.  I grieve with her family, and praise God for her influence on my life.  I owe her debts that cannot be repaid, except to give to others what she gave to me.

Billie Jean was unlike any other professor I had while at FPU. I took her class just to get enough credits to qualify as a full time student but I ended up being given not only knowledge about literature but about life. I thank Billie Jean for being such a great professor. She was always real,  always genuine, and always provided a good laugh during class. 

I met Billie Jean the summer of 1971 while we  were working on staff at Camp Sugar Pine. We became fast friends. We worked in the kitchen and sang through our shifts, performed skits at the campfires and basically had a glorious summer. I was welcomed to her home in Kansas the following Christmas vacation where I had a wonderful time with  her family. B.J. introduced me to poetry which I’m grateful for to this day.
I’m simply heartbroken.... but, I know my mom met her and they are laughing at the crazy times we had.
Utting family please know how much Billie Jean meant to me and that I’m praying for you during these difficult days.

My heart goes out to the entire family and the many lives this great women has impacted. Early on, in my college career, I had heard so many stories about Billie Jean and was privileged enough to attend one of her courses at Fresno Pacific University. Let me tell you, when Billie Jean saw potential in a student she would turn up the fire just enough to give them a little burn...not too much because she knew they’d never return. All of this was for a reason, so the students would tap into a challenge and step into the path of their true potential. There was not a single being on that campus that she would not press for success. She was truly an inspiration, so I know for a fact that Heaven rejoices with the gain of a fiery woman. 

With caring thoughts, 
EM

I was privileged to be a colleague of Billie Jean Wiebe for 17 years at Fresno Pacific University. I treasured her quiet yet firm ways of speaking her mind in the various meetings and celebrations we attended. She took the history and traditions of FPU and truly owned them, standing up for preservation of our heritage and ensuring that the narrative would continue to be told accurately and winsomely. Her missing voice and presence have quickly left a void that will not soon be filled, if ever.

My deepest sympathies to Stanley and the rest of Billie Jean's family.  Billie Jean was a class mate and even though we had very few classes together, she was always very kind to me.  May God be with you and your family.

I never knew when I walked into Narrative class at FPU that I would be met with such a force and inspiration.  Billie led with compassion and courage. She was a natural leader and inspiration without ever trying to be. She introduced me to feminist critical theory and the most wonderful literature that shaped so much of who I am today. My heart is hurting, and I know so are the hearts of anyone else who was lucky enough to know her. I cherish the  hours-long conversations over breakfast and in her office about the world, books, and life. Her spirit was beautiful, and her presence a gift. 

She was truly a pioneer.  She challenged her students, taught  without repudiation, and dedicated her time to giving vulnerable people a voice. My beloved friend, brilliant mentor, and a truly kind human being. These words do not do her justice.  She will always be loved and missed, and her life and work celebrated.

She was such a hard teacher and really pushed me to think outside the box. To present my thoughts in a clear and precise way. During one of my speeches in class, she kept nodding and writing, nodding and writing. The entire time I kept my eyes on her. I wanted her to really feel what I was saying. There are not very many teachers who stayed with me after college but she was unforgettable. 

When I attended FPU, I shared a influential moment with Billie Jean during my communication capstone assignment. Through the project, she sat with me and cried with me as I went through this journey to finish out my degree. I never saw more compassion and empathy in those moments with her. 

Billie Jean was my advisor and frequent professor when I attended FPU from '05 - '09. Her two renditions of "The Road Less Traveled" by Frost in her Text and Performance class have always stayed with me. She was such a brilliant teacher and fierce advocate-- a true source of light. She will be greatly missed by many.

My heart and thoughts are with Richard and Billie Jean's family.  Billie Jean was my college counselor professor at FPU. She went to extra lengths to support me and help me graduate college. I will forever owe her a debt of gratitude. I'm saddened to hear of her passing, and wish I could have told her more often how much I appreciated her and everything she did for me. 

Richard, my heart goes out to you in your time of loss. Praying for the peace that passes understanding for you. 

We lost touch completely and I’m very sad to know that we didn’t  reconnect in time!  I am heartbroken for you!  Billie Jean was a dear friend and together you welcomed me to Fresno in 1979.  It was not an easy adjustment as you both knew better than most and I am so grateful to you for that support and encouragement.  I hope you will contact me. 

With much love to you and your family!

Emily Brandt

I had no idea and am so, so sorry to hear this sad news. Close to 20 years ago Billie Jean took time from her busy teaching schedule to teach a one-unit literature reading course with me in her office, when I was starting out my credential work, giving me the equivalent of an English minor, and preparing me well with new, diverse literature for my teaching. Then I also had her great English credential class. She was so affirming and encouraging and offered so many scholarly, applicable resources. I know she had an impact she probably never fully realized --and I should have better expressed--on many, many students, colleagues, and friends.

Oh, Billie Jean was such a fun cousin growing up! I would often spend time with her at her home in Hillsboro .  We would walk to town to the Ben Franklin Store and buy a bag of candy for 25 cents and eat it walking back to her house. Of course it was always the same kind - chocolate covered malt balls - we both just loved them !! She leaves many fond memories for us all.

Richard, we are so saddened by this.  Please contact us.

Billie gave me a passion for learning and she helped me rise to the occasion through many setbacks. She shared in my losses and successes and knew just what to say to make me understand so many things.  Being an older student can be difficult because connecting to your student-peers is so hard; Billie opened up space for me to be both a student and peer with her so I never felt left out at FPU.    I have few people that I can say have left a lasting impression on my life, and she will be forever one.

In August of 2018, I walked into my first class at Fresno Pacific with Billie Jean Wiebe. Even before she and I had met, her name preceded her. She carried the title of being one of the most profound professors, and to some, the most challenging. She opened class that day with a quote, a quote that I have carried with me since that day. She read the words of Toni Morrison to us, immediately setting the stage for all of the knowledge and enlightenment that would come from any of the communication or literature classes she taught.
“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.” 
Billie lived by this quote, and engrained these values in our minds as students. It set the stage for all of the books and communication theories I would learn that semester and beyond. I could have never imagined the meaning this quote would now hold. Billie lived her life through language. She brought words to life from the pages we would read as a class. She brought words to life through teaching text & performance, and by exemplifying the power of language in ever single lecture she would give. She taught advocacy through spoken and written narrative. Billie believed in the power of voice, and it’s something she advocated for and instilled in every single one of her students. Billie was larger than life. Fearless. Powerful. She was never afraid to be honest with you. She was always an advocate. She did all of this through inexplicable kindness and humorous cynicism. 
During my time as a student, and since then, Billie was one of my dearest friends. I looked forward to our weekly check ins and would always seem to walk away from any conversation with her feeling empowered, feeling hopeful, feeling supported, but also motivated to improve. Billie loved teaching. She loved her students. It would not have been in her character to retire or stop teaching. So, she went with grace, being a relentless educator and student advocate until the end.

Billie Jean was my professor and mentor through my time at Fresno Pacific. Never before had I felt so valued for my thoughts and opinions, even when Billie was pushing back hard on whatever it was I was saying! Billie made you work for everything, and I will forever be grateful for it. If it wasn’t for her believing in me I would never have had the confidence to pursue higher education. She cared fiercely for me as well as her other students. I will miss and be thankful for her always. 

OBITUARY

Billie Jean Wiebe

December 27, 1951 – December 23, 2020

Boice Funeral Home

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