Billie Louise Biel

Billie Louise Biel, 94, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Wichita County Hospital, Leoti, KS.

She was born on November 16, 1929, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Hazel May Russell Macku and Paul Macku.

Billie grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Rosedale High School in 1947. After attending Kansas City Kansas Community College for one year, she began teaching in the Wichita County Schools in 1948. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1972, at St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, KS where she became a member of the Order of the Carillon and Alpha Chi American Collegiate Honor Society. At Ft. Hays State University she received a Master of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis on Library Science, and became a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an international educational fraternity.

Billie taught full-time, part-time and as a substitute teacher for over 45 years, retiring in 2005. 

She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Leoti, KS and was a religion school teacher, a member of Parish Council, a eucharistic minister and lector.

Billie was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, The American Legion Auxiliary, American Association of University Women, and the Patchwork Quilt Guild.

Survivors include her husband, Eugene Biel, whom she married in 1951, and children Geri Anne Appel, Wichita KS; Jeannine Ross, Leoti, KS; Rebecca Carter, Webster, NY; and Paul Biel (Anita), Hutchinson, KS; thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Billie was preceded in death by sons Dennis Biel and Dale Biel; daughter Tina Swift, son-in-law Kenneth Lerman, daughter-in-law Carol Biel, and grandson, Justin Wilkerson.

Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Leoti EMS, or Wichita County Library in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, KS, 67861.

Vigil and rosary will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Leoti, KS at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, with Father Bernard Felix Presiding.

The funeral will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Leoti, KS, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, with Fr. Bernard Felix presiding. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Marienthal, KS. Services will be live-streamed at www.priceandsons.com or https://evt.live/bielservice.