Billie K Fitz

Billie K. Fitz, age 82, entered into rest with the Lord on October 22, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Huntington, West Virginia on June 26, 1928, the son of George William and Blanche Mae (Black) Fitz. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was well known for his great love for people. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division during World War II. He re-enlisted in 1948 and served with the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea. He received numerous military honors and recognition including the Purple Heart. Billie married the former Belverine Ramey on January 10, 1953 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Billie leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife, Belverine; a daughter, Sandra Lou Ann; a son, Barry Kevin, his wife Crystal and daughter, Ashley; a son Brian Kelly, and his wife Belinda; his grandchildren; a granddaughter, Jessica Marie and four grandsons, Barry Kevin II, and his wife, Katie and son, Baron Kennedy (great-grandson), Brandon Kyle, Billie Kenneth and Benjamin Keith Fitz. There are three sisters-in-law, Evelene Smith, and Madeline Ramey, both of West Virginia as well as Flonnie Anderson of Tazewell, Tennessee; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and aunts and uncles honor his memory. Billie was preceded in death by his father, George W. Fitz in 1941, his mother, Blanche Mae Gibson in 1966, his brother, The Rev. Lewis E. Anderson in 1999, a sister, Lillie Mae Derryberry in 2009 and twin brothers at birth in 1931. He is a graduate of Willow Run High School and attended Cleary Business College. He received his marketing degree from Colorado University in 1972. He was employed in various occupations before beginning his banking career where he spent thirty-nine years working in financial services. He retired from FMB-Oceana Bank as Chairman, President and C.E.O. in 1992. He was a prestigious contributor to the community in the following organizations: He served on the Oceana EDC Board. He was an organizing member for the National Asparagus Festival Committee. He served with the Muskegon-Oceana Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Hart-Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Community Foundation of Oceana County Board of Directors from 1989-93. Billie was a member of the Hart Rotary Club and Past-President (1974-75), and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was president of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of BAI in 1989-90 and past chairman of the Michigan Bankers Association Group VI in 1984-85. In 1987-91, he was a member of the MBA Executive Committee. He was a member of the Masonic Order Blue Lodge AF + AM Scottish Rites, York Rites and a Shriner. He was an active member of VFW Post #1329 in Hart, Michigan as well as the American Legion Post #93 in Kenova, West Virginia. There will be a family visitation on Monday, October 25, from 6-8 pm at King Funeral Home in Hart. Services will be held Tuesday, October 26, 4 pm at First Baptist Church in Hart, Michigan. He requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hart Rotary Scholarship Fund, The American Heart Association, The Shriners Hospital For Children, or a charity of your choice. Funeral services in West Virginia will be conducted at 2pm Friday, October 29, 2010 at the Ceredo-Kenova Funeral Home with Pastor David Cartwright officiating. Burial will follow in the Wayne Community Gardens in Wayne WV. The family will receive friends Friday from 1pm until time of service at the Ceredo-Kenova funeral home.