Vernice Marian Bills passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 with her daughter by her side. She was born February 16, 1933 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, on the family farm to Albert and Ella Mae Wood.
Moving to Kansas City during the depression, having lost her father in 1945, she began working two jobs when she turned 16, one at Sears and the other being at the Vista Theater on Independence Ave. as the ticket girl to help support her family. The Vista Theater was owned by H.W Bills and his wife, Jean. With the Mistletoe Ball coming up in Excelsior Springs Jean had the wonderful idea to set her up on a blind date with C Patrick Bills, as he was coming home from the Korean War for a two week leave. After two dates he returned to the war and wrote her a letter asking her to marry him. She said “yes” and he set her and his brother H.W. out to buy her an engagement ring. They were married on November 15, 1952. It’s very ironic that she would pass the day after their 72nd wedding anniversary.
She never sat for a minute, always on the go and worried about others and not herself. When C Patrick (as she called him) decided to go to law school he drove a school bus for North Kansas City and she drove the kindergarteners all piled in the back of her station wagon, then he would go off to law school at night. Moving to Excelsior Springs in 1962 needing to live in Clay County when Pat was appointed as a Magistrate Judge in Liberty. Moving into his family home which she has lived in the past 62 years. He did not want her to work, but then the Job Corps came to town in 1965. He agreed that she could take a temporary job for three months until it open with student. Thirty five years later she retired. Beginning as the secretary to the center director then becoming the administrative assistant to the director, moving to director of personnel, director of purchasing and then becoming assistant center director before retiring. When she retired they hired three people to take her position.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ella and Albert Wood; husband, C Patrick Bills; one grandson, Darell Sloan, daughter-in-law, Charlotte Bills; sisters, Juanita Wood and Virginia Burns; and brother, Jack Wood.
She is survived by two sons, Stephen Bills (Cheryl Brown) of Excelsior Springs and Kevin Bills-Liu (Jiandong) of Palm Springs, Calif.; daughter, Shellie Spaedy (Tony) of Fairway, Kans.; bonus daughter, Melanie Purcell (Mark) of Burlington, Iowa; five grandchildren, Donald Bills, Emily Bonanni (Sean), Andrew Spaedy, Abigail Flemer (Mathew), and Olivia Spaedy; five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; along with her closest and dearest friend of over 60 years, Jackie Bollinger of Excelsior Springs.
She did not like any attention upon herself and requested that she have no funeral or gathering when she passed away. Only that she would be cremated and buried with her husband in the Masonic Cemetery in Excelsior Springs. Her wishes were carried out. For many years the Excelsior Springs Job Corps gave out an award to the student named the Vernice Bills Courtesy Award. She would just ask everyone to be kind and love each other.
Our Sincere Condolences
My condolences to you Steve and Kevin for the loss of your mother. She and my mother were such good friends over the years working at the center. I used to go to her office when Pete Updike had his alligator behind her in the office. She never batted an eye about having that gator in the office with her.
She will be missed by all in the O’Dell family. May the Lord take her in his bountiful arms and keep her safe till we all get there together.
The O’Dell family
