Billie Jo Anne Stiles

“B J” BILLIE JO ANNE (SMITH) STILES 01/09/1946 – 01/23/2016 An honorable, wonderful and true lady of distinction departed from our world today. She gave of herself and touched the lives of many. She was a true example of God’s purpose when He created the world and gave us the freedom to decide who we would be. There was a radiant glow of caring and friendliness when you were in her presence. She had the kind of personality where she could enter a room of fifty strangers and leave with fifty new friends. Her accomplishments were many. She was raised in the small town of Liberty Center, Ohio, graduated from Liberty Center High School with honors and attended Defiance College. Giving her all in whatever challenges she accepted she became a high achiever. BJ was a tall beautiful lady and honor student who participated in most school and club activities. She was an exceptional athlete excelling in volleyball, basketball and other school sports while also being chosen as homecoming queen. She enjoyed playing the drums for the school band and participating as a cheerleader for basketball games. BJ won various beauty and personality contest and was admired by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was born and raised in a true American small-town home where religion, education, honor, integrity, proper etiquette, and fairness to others was taught and was just how you were expected to behave and live your life. BJ loved her daughters Angela and Laurie more than anyone or anything in her life and worked hard to provide them with all the things she enjoyed during her childhood. The girls were like their mother, beautiful and athletic. Both were competitive swimmers. Angela became a state and national champion while Laurie won many of her events around the country. During the girls’ competitive years BJ devoted much of her time taking them all over the country at her own expense so the girls could compete and become the champions they were. Throughout her personal and working life BJ served her church and community. She was a member of many social organizations and volunteered her time. For thirty-three years she worked in retail while employed at Lion Stores and Dillard’s. She managed several different departments at the stores but in her later working years was employed as a sales manager for ladies ready to wear. In earlier years she modeled for the store and later organized the fashion shows for the store. She was well known and loved by many people and worked hard to be the best at whatever she did. Many of the store customers would only buy from BJ because of her expertise, personality and friendliness. During her years at Lion Stores BJ was in charge of all the store charity events and raised thousands of dollars for United Way and other charities. She was well known for her store fashion shows held at a local TV Station. After retirement BJ volunteered time for Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office 24 Hour Crisis Response Center. She aided emotionally and distraught victims who called and requested information on how to obtain physical protection and temporary shelter. As part of her responsibilities and training BJ explained the procedure for legal assistance and assisted them with agencies that could provide food and shelter. Her kind mannerism, understanding and sensitivity were a tremendous aid to those in need. Two of her many attributes was her eye for interior decorating and her knowledge of antiques and collectibles. Her home was a thing of beauty and she also sold her wares in shops in Waterville and Grand Rapids. BJ loved and appreciated her friend and business associate Tina Hohenberger. Although BJ had too many friends to name there were a few lifelong friends she cherished and who supported her to the end: Marianne Ballas, Susie Doukides, Linda Schmidt, Barbara Brock, Paul and Becky Chamberlin and her manicurist/pedicurist Carla Vaska, the person who held the secret to BJ’s beautiful fingernails and toenails. The family respectively gives their heartfelt thanks to all BJ’s friends and supporters. BJ loved her furry friend Cecil the cat who gave her much comfort and companionship. She was a strong, compassionate, and caring person. During her long struggle with Glioblastoma cancer she never once felt sorry for herself. She thanked God for her life and blessings and her only concern was for her family and others. For every extra day God gave BJ after her surgery she was thankful and every day she got up and did the best she could to handle her handicaps and to enjoy the extra time she was given. BJ was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Winona Fisher and will be deeply missed but never forgotten by her husband Frank (Pat), daughters Angela (Jim) Eckstrom, Laurie (Kevin) Barbee, brother Roger (Mary Alice) Fisher, stepsons Kevin (Stacey) Stiles, Carey (Carolyn) Stiles, stepdaughter Amy, brother-in-law’s Edward and Don, 12 grandchildren, many nephews and nieces and other family members. The family wishes to thank the highly professional medical staff at the Cleveland Clinic for giving BJ and Frank and the family extra time together. Their technical skills, professional organization and compassion for their patients are beyond belief. Thank you also to the staff at Hope Lodge who provided a wonderful place to live while BJ went through her treatment at Cleveland Clinic. In addition the family wishes to acknowledge the professional, loving, compassionate and caring staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio for the wonderful care given BJ through this most difficult time. Every employee was so thoughtful and caring while seeing to BJ’s every need. Visitation will take place at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Sunday, Jan. 31st from 2 - 9:00 p.m. Services will be held at Liberty Center United Methodist Church on Monday, Feb. 1st at 11:00 a.m. The family request Memorial contributions be directed to American Cancer Society (Hope Lodge) and Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Please leave a condolence message for the family and view BJ’s Memorial video tribute at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Billie Jo Anne Stiles

January 9, 1946 - January 23, 2016