Neda Jo Bills

Neda Jo Bills, 92, passed away on August 21, 2022.

Neda was born to Roy and Genevieve (Jacques) Gage on December 27, 1929. Neda attended elementary school at the Springside School and then continued the rest of her education in the Arkansas City school district. She married Lloyd C. Bills on October 26, 1947. After living briefly in Ark City they moved to the family farm east of Newkirk, OK for 5 years and then returned to Ark City where they lived the rest of their lives raising their 3 sons. Neda worked at Sears, the county courthouse, the Ark City Traveler and at the post office. She served as a Cub Scout leader and spent many hours volunteering at the hospital and at Chaplin Nature Center. She and Lloyd were active members of the K&O tractor club for many years. Neda enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including gardening, reading, birdwatching, china painting and she loved to travel. She also liked to visit the casino and try her luck, playing card games with her grandchildren, and she always had fun playing bridge with her good friends – especially when she won!

Neda was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd, her parents, a sister Virginia Wahler, and brothers Conrad, Loynel (Tom), Arch, Roy, John, Jack and a great-grandson Kade Bauman. She is survived by her sons James (Guyla) of Hillsboro, MO, Phillip (Susan) of Topeka, KS, and Lawrence (Sylvia) of Kaw City, OK, six grandchildren: Angela, Amy, Annette, Jennifer, Stefannie, and Brandon, one step-grandson Klinton and two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Ashlynn.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Parker Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. Friday, August 26 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chaplin Nature Center, donations may be left in the care of the funeral home.