Bernice (Billie) Wiley

Bernice “Billie” Roark Wiley, age 83, passed away Monday, November 29, 2010 in Brenham, Texas.

She was born February 10, 1927 in Wellston, Oklahoma to David and Jeanetta (Willis) Roark. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Billie was a “Rosie the Riveter” at Tinker Air Force Base during World War II, helping to build airplanes for the war effort. She married Kenneth Lee Wiley on May 27, 1946 in Wellston, Oklahoma. Billie lived in many places throughout the country, following her husband’s career with Gulf Oil Corporation. They lived in Centralia, Illinois; Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Denver, Colorado; Riverside, Connecticut; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; and finally Houston, Texas, where they were residents of the Champions area for 30 years, prior to their move to Kruse Village in Brenham, Texas. As a member of Northwoods Presbyterian Church in Houston, she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Ladies Circle. Since in Brenham, she was a member of The First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed bowling and was an avid reader.

Surviving are her devoted husband of 64 years Kenneth Lee Wiley; loving daughters Connie and husband Mike Landreth of Wichita, Kansas, Cathy and husband Charles Nitsch of Klein, Texas; loving and dear son David and wife Rhonda Wiley of Tomball, Texas; seven grandchildren Kristen McPherson of Rapid City, South Dakota, Ken Landreth of Wichita, Kansas, Elizabeth Allison and Marianne Nitsch of Klein, Texas, Avery and Candace Wiley of Tomball, Texas; and four great-grandchildren Weston, Jordan, Trinity and Jason McPherson of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to services being held at 2 p.m., Thursday, December 2 in Brenham Memorial Chapel with Rev. Brent Hampton officiating. Interment will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery, Brenham, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice or to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

A special thank you goes to all of her caregivers at Kruse Village.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas 77833. 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com