Billie Arlene Leonard's Obituary
Leonard, Billie Arlene (Veitenheimer) with Elegance and Grace joined the Angels and her Eternal Father – Monday, January 3rd, 2022. With her family by her side.
Billie was born on July 12th, 1927 to William and Ethel Veitenheimer in Muskegon. Billie graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1946. Her main focus was caring for her 6 beloved children, which are her pride and joy.
Billie had many employments throughout her lifetime. Billie was a member of St. Mary’s “The 49ers” club for 65 years, St. Mary's Women’s Guild, and also enjoyed being a sign language interpreter at Baker College. She volunteered at Mercy Hospital for 7 years and did care taking for a short time. Billie worked as a Proof Reader at Earle Press and she also was employed at Krautheim Jewelers in the China department. Billie’s last employment was at Breneman's making curtain shades. Billie was a people person, with an infectious laugh and made everyone around her feel welcomed.
Billie enjoyed being outdoors, especially summer. Pere Marquette was her happy place, sitting on the bench soaking up the sun and looking at Lake Michigan. She loved boating on Muskegon Lake and Blue Lake with a cold beer, fishing, and taking long walks. She loved sun bathing by the pool with mudslides, and visiting her daughter down in Florida several times. When Billie wasn’t soaking up the sun, you could find her playing poker, taking trips to the casino, listening to music at home, playing her harmonica, while feeding her neighborhood squirrel, and spending time with her bird “Squeegee”, also her LOVE for animals and monkeys, boy oh boy did Billie love monkeys!!!!!
Billie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters - Virginia King, Nadyne Stone, and her brothers in law – Clinton King and Donald Stone, daughter in law, Mary Leonard and son in law, Stephe Nathan.
Billie will be greatly missed by her children, Karen (Dennis) O’Toole, Rhonda Kay Nathan, Antoinette (Dave) LeMieux, Tony (Sandy Morritt) Leonard, Michelle (John) Szot, Willie (Wendy Kenney) Leonard. Her grandchildren, Brian (Molly) Dutkiewicz, Lindsey (William) Kuczmera, Justin (Kelsie) Judd, Nicole (Ryan) Johnson, Kattie Lemieux, Jacob (Barb) LeMieux, Zac (Susan Glynn) LeMieux, Joshua Leonard, Tom (Kristen) Leonard, Amy Keur, TJ (Lauren) Szot, Toni (Troy) Snyder, Kellie (Aaron) Rice, and Ryan (Breanne) Leonard. Billie was blessed with 26 great grandchildren. Billie will be also missed by her lifelong friends, Lucille Radke and Lila Leonard.
Billie will always be remembered as a loving mother, doting grandmother, and a caring great grandmother. Having a heart of gold and always making people laugh with her keen sense of humor. Her electric personality allowed her to make friends with so many people.
A Celebration of Billie's Life will be Sunday, July 10, 2022 from 12pm - 3pm at Margaret Drake Elliot Park Shelter (1651 Beach St. Muskegon, MI 49441). The family is reminding all attendees that you must pay for parking.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Billie’s name towards a park bench at Pere Marquette Beach. Donations can be made out to the Muskegon Federal Credit Union (65 W. Laketon Ave. Muskegon, MI 49441) with Billie Leonard’s name in the memo line.
Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com.
Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremations Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 759-8565
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