Wilma Lucille Kenz

Wilma "Billie" Lucille Kenz died at her home in Glendora, CA on January 16, 2022. As sad as we are to lose our mother and grandmother, we are comforted to know her wish to join her husband Ray, son Robert, grandsons Jimmy & Joseph and daughter-in-law Carrie in Heaven has been fulfilled.

Billie was born on May 3, 1927 to James and Anna Burkhardt in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the youngest of 4 siblings (Robert, JoAnn and Betty) and was deeply devoted to her family, keeping them in her heart and stories until the end. She was especially proud of the stories about her family's military service, which instilled in her a deep love of her country. Billie moved to California as a child in 1936. She attended Glendale City College where she met the love of her life, Raymond Kenz. Billie and Ray married in 1949 and settled in Arcadia, CA where they raised their nine children, Robert (Christy), David (Pam), Jim, Anita (Mick), Patty, Raymond (Katherine), Mary (David), Susan (Henry) and Carol (Robert). Their loving 64 year marriage blessed them with 31 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. They always had a full house and despite her worries, everyone always managed to find parking.

Billie was fiercely loyal, especially to her children, and unapologetically herself, never afraid to speak her mind. She remained steadfast in her beliefs and convictions throughout her life. Her generosity to both those she loved and the various charities she supported was matched only by her remarkable memory for birthdays. Few things in our lives remained more consistent than the card in the mail that came for any major occasion, often paired with a prayer card. Billie enjoyed watching the blue jays in her beloved Lake Arrowhead, reading, remaining active in her Catholic faith and ensuring the cupboard always had a dum dum sucker or glass of juice for her visiting grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.