Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Billie Duke
Dec 29th, 1947 - Mar 15th, 2022Billie Jean Duke, age 74, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, March 15, 2022, at the Blue Hills Rest Home in Independence, Missouri.
She was born December 29, 1947, in Flora, the daughter of Charles Edwin and Helen Ruth (Colyer) Duke.
Billie graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Art and a major in History which led to a career with the Illinois Department of Corrections. She worked at several facilities throughout the state, including Lawrence Correctional Center in Lawrenceville and later John A. Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro until her retirement. She had a passion for history and writing and enjoyed planting flowers in her outside gardens and taking care of her inside plants when she couldn’t be outdoors.
She is survived by her daughter: Jennifer Colyer Boose of Liberty, Missouri; brothers: David (Jeanne) Duke of Louisville, and Wayne (Betsy) Duke of Salem; as well as her best friend, Karen Mollett of Springfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother: Charles Duke.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Frank and Bright Funeral home in Flora. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 12 noon until 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial Donations are suggested to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com