Wilma A. “Billie” Immelt, 90, of Ashville, born May 29, 1925, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Caring Touch of Ohio.
Loving mother of Shane Immelt and wife of Fred R. Immelt (1924-1999), Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents, Liscie Fenster Smith and Roy W. Smith; her brother, Lloyd (Bud) Smith; and sisters, Vaun Marie Hargrove, Helen Elizabeth Lucas and Donna Jean Gregg.
The youngest of the Smith children, a goal of hers (which she accomplished) was to live to be the oldest.
Wilma was a proud graduate of Ashville-Harrison High School. She was born in Waverly, later moving to Ashville. Billie worked at the Columbus Defense Supply Center as an accountant until her marriage to Fred Immelt. After Fred returned from the Army, he took a job with the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The railroad moved them around the eastern United States over the next 40-plus years (Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Cranford, New Jersey; Ossining, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Berwyn, Pennsylvania; Syracuse, New York; and Buffalo, New York). Upon retirement in 1994, they returned to Ashville.
Billie enjoyed antique collecting and refinishing, traveling, needlepoint and sewing, and animals (especially cats). Billie did volunteer work in every city in which she lived. These activities included Welcome Wagon and Newcomers Club in many cities, various school raffles and fun fairs for the many elementary schools Shane attended, and Billie was an avid supporter of the Ossining (New York) High School Marching and Concert bands.
Billie is survived by son, Shane, and daughter-in-law, Marcia Immelt; granddaughter, Sarah Immelt Kordas; great-grandson, Logan Kordas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Billie Immelt was truly loved by many.
Billie requested that no service or visitation take place. Her ashes will be buried next to her husband and eldest sister, Vaun, in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus.
Arrangements were made with Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home of Ashville.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
