Ronald L. Billie, 78, of Dryden, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Sept. 20, 1941 in Bessmer, to the late Ronald N. “Aldo” and Sue (Matson) Billie. He married Marcia Billy in 1964 in Hurley, Wisc.
Ron graduated from A.D. Johnson High School in Bessmer in 1959 then attended Gogebic Community College in Ironwood. While still attending college part time, he was hired by the white pine copper company to work underground as a belt repairment for the next five years. In 1964, he returned to college full time at Northern Michigan University in Marquette to complete his degree in mathematics. In 1971 Ron accepted a teaching position with Almont Community Schools and taught until he retired in 2004.
While teaching in Almont Ron coached many sports including; boys and girls basketball, baseball, bowling, golf and freshman football for a year, though he had never played football. Baseball was Ron’s all-time favorite sport, playing both baseball and softball from the time he could hold a bat, often coached by his dad. He was particularly proud of his 1987 team from Almont that won the Michigan Regional Class “C” Championship, going on to the state semi-finals. The team is being honored this year as an inductee in Almont’s Athletic Hall of Fame, scheduled for Sept. 16. Ron’s love for baseball was always obvious as he played on many teams, often several at the same time, hurriedly driving from one day to the next. Right out of high school, he did tryout for the Minnesota Twins without luck but did play on a semi-pro team across the Upper Peninsula. Of course, Ron was a devoted Detroit Tiger’s fan his entire life.
Ron was also very active in the community, serving as president of the Almont Education Association, he tutored students in math at home, help several service clubs during their special events and drove his big red truck to pull the Chamber of Commerce floats in many local parades. He was also an excellent cook who made a tasty ratatouille.
He is survived by his loving family including his wife, Marcia Billie of Dryden; son, Gene (Dawn) Billie of Clinton Township; daughter, Leeann (Travis) Klein of Manitowoc, Wisc.; grandchildren, Jessica (Tim) Bosley of Harrison Township, Jillian (Jared Ponder) Billie of Clinton Township, Ian Klein, of Manitowoc, Wisc.; great-granddaughter, Tessa Johnson of Clinton Township; brother, Robert (Maria) Billie of Wentzville, Missouri; sister, Sue (Gary) McCormick of DeWitt; sister-in-law, Katheryn Billie of Bessmer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Janine, at birth; brother, Eugene Billie; his brothers-in-law, Mark Bruneau and Dennis Enrietti; sister-in-law, Patricia Bruneau; and many aunts and uncles and cousins.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a smaller memorial was held at the time for family only.
Friends and family will be gathering 2 p.m., Saturday, July 9 for the Celebration of Life Service with visitation from 1-2 p.m. A memorial dinner will be held at 3 p.m. All memorial events are at Muir Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, 2650 South Van Dyke Road, Imlay City.
Burial will follow at Webster Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org, 800-805-5856 or 501 St. Jude Place-Memphis, TN 38105,) or to the Shriners Hospital for Children (lovetotherescue.org PO Box 863765 Orlando, FL 32886.)
Please RSVP by Wednesday, July 6, if you will be attending the luncheon, to richard@muirfh.com or 877-888-Muir.
