Ellsworth
Billie Carolyn Lear, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. She was born July 7, 1933, in Monroe, La., to William and Sara “Callie” (Roark) Turnage Sr.
She was a 1951 graduate of CE Byrd High School in Shreveport, La., then went on to Louisiana Baptist College, also in Shreveport, where she got her associate degree in finance.
Billie was wed to Joseph H. Lear Jr. on June 13, 1959, in Shreveport, La. They lived in Bossier City, La., and had two daughters, Vickie and Alice. Joe retired from the Air Force in 1968, after which time they moved to Lamoine.
Billie worked as a bookkeeper for Maine Coast Memorial Hospital for about two years. Dr. Eji Suyama then hired her as a bookkeeper in his practice, where she worked 24 years until his retirement in 1994. Then she continued as a bookkeeper for Sandra Collier, Esq. until 2017.
Billie loved to sing in the choir at Lamoine Baptist Church, the Bagaduce Chorale, Blue Hill and the Mount Desert Summer Chorale, Mount Desert Island. Billie and Joe were both members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, where she became an instructor of sea navigation. In her early years, Billie sold Tupperware and had many parties all across the state of Maine. Billie also enjoyed traveling the nation attending Women of Faith conferences with her daughter Vickie.
Billie was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 45 years, Joseph H. Lear Jr., and brother William T. Turnage Jr.
Billie is survived by her daughters, Alice Dow and husband, Jeff, of Ellsworth and Vickie Corbin and husband, James, of Cody, Wyo.; grandchildren, Lacie Frost and husband, Travis, of Ellsworth, Cammeron Dow and wife, Jessica, of Surry, Lydia Corbin and Noah Corbin, both of Cody, Wyo.; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
The family would like to send a special thank you to all the doctors and nursing staff at Courtland Rehab and Living Center for their excellent care that Billie received. She loved where she lived, and they loved her.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. July 7, 2021, at Maine Veterans Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.
Those who desire may make contributions to the Lamoine Baptist Women, 24 Lamoine Beach Road, Lamoine, ME 04605.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.