Billie Nunley Beauchamp

Billie Beauchamp (NUNLEY) died on Sunday, January 11, 2015 in Austin, Texas where she lived for the last four and a half years. Billie was a former longtime resident of Denton. Billie was born on March 17, 1930 near Anson, Texas, the only child of William and Jewel (Harkins) Chambers. When growing up, Billie lived in rural Anson and Hamlin. Billie was a natural musician and she excelled at piano. At age 12 she became the church pianist at First Baptist Church in Anson. After high school graduation in 1946, Billie enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University to study music performance. At Hardin-Simmons she met and fell in love with Bob Nunley, and they were married on June 20, 1947. They moved to College Station in 1948 for Bob to attend Texas A&M. Billie, by her own admission, intended then to be a “musical housewife.” In May of 1949 their daughter Priscilla (Prissy) was born. Three months later Bob graduated and they all moved to Hamlin where he began his career in public school education. Billie taught private piano lessons and was active in their church’s music ministry. In September 1952 their second daughter, Rebecca (Becki) was born. In 1954 Billie and Bob moved to Spur, Texas. Billie continued her involvement in church and community music. She and Bob remained in close contact for the rest of their lives with many of their friends from their time in Spur. In 1959 Billie and Bob moved to Austin where she continued her college education and he studied for his PhD. at the University of Texas. Billie completed a degree in Music Education while also employed as pianist at Hyde Park Baptist Church. She also found time to maintain her home, raise her girls, participate in their activities and visit and help care for many extended family members. Billie started her career as a public school music teacher in Austin. In 1964 Billie and Bob and their family moved to Denton. Billie taught music at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School until 1985 and was involved for 39 years in the music program at First Baptist Church. She loved working with her students and encouraged their interest and participation in music through innumerable programs, plays, recitals, and talent shows. After retirement, Billie traveled with Bob, friends, and family to the Caribbean, Greece, Turkey, Tahiti, Alaska, and Hawaii. They were active members of the Thirty-Niners at First Baptist Church and avid volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Billie also enjoyed working at Ruth’s Room. In January 2003 Bob died and Billie subsequently moved to Abilene. Later that year she married Arthur Beauchamp, who she had known in high school in Anson. Arthur died in July 2010 and Billie moved to Austin to be near Becki and to get the living assistance that she needed. For nearly four years she lived at Arden Courts, where she was cared for competently and lovingly and where she never failed to say “I Love You” to everyone who cared for her. Billie loved her family, her church, her profession, animals and especially, children. She remained an active participant in musical activities until recently and especially loved when children’s groups came to Arden Courts to perform. Billie was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, grandparents, and her husband Arthur. She will be missed but remembered lovingly by her daughters Prissy Giles (Murray Giles) and Becki Larrinaga (Mike Coffey) and by her grandchildren Amy Alley (Jim Alley) and Jason Giles (Ellen Giles) and by her great-grandson Connor Alley. Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Anson, Texas, under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Please consider honoring Billie’s memory by contributing to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation at www.vh1savethemusic.org or to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.