Billie Earlene Nenninger (nee Smith)

Billie Earlene Nenninger (nee Smith), aged 82, passed away peacefully in Waco, Texas, surrounded by family, on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Billie Smith was born to parents CD and Etna Smith, on January 29, 1943, in Granite City, Illinois. She was one of four children, and she grew up with a love of horses. When she once wanted to ride her pony in a local parade, her father told her, “Only if you can get it in the car.” A short time later, she had somehow managed to get it loaded into the back of the family station wagon. She would continue to display that sense of determination and adventure throughout her life.

Billie graduated from Edwardsville (IL) High School in 1960, and went straight into nursing school at Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO. During college, she met Jerome (Jerry) Dawson Nenninger, of Cape Girardeau, MO, who was studying art at Washington University School of Fine Arts in St. Louis. They were married soon after graduation, on September 17, 1964.

Together, they moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, where their first child, Chad, was born. Inspired in part by the Oregon landscape, Billie developed her love of the outdoors, photography, and art. Billie and Jerry moved to High Point, NC in 1970 where their second child, Matthew, was born.  Their daughter, Kelly, was born in 1978 after they moved to Mt. Airy, NC.

Billie and Jerry loved hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, riding motorcycles (both dirt and street), and exploring the beaches of the Carolinas, but they always maintained a love of Oregon. In 1987, the family sold their home and moved (back) to Oregon. The move itself was a grand adventure; a modern-day wagon train consisting of two large moving trucks and a motorhome – all with large trailers in-tow. The journey started with a visit to Disney World, before spending about two months seeing all the sights as they crossed the country on their way to Oregon. They had not yet purchased a home in Oregon, so they spent time in two different Oregon State Parks while searching the Willamette Valley for a place to call Home.

After buying a small farmhouse and acreage in Salem, Oregon, Billie continued her career as a Cardiac and Critical Care Registered Nurse, at Salem Memorial Hospital. The family had a host of various animals on their “ranch,” including horses, chickens, ducks, a goat, cats, dogs, a sheep (who thought it was a dog), and a ferret.

Billie and Jerry continued exploring the great Northwest in their spare time, along with their family. As retirement approached, they moved to a smaller property in Albany, Oregon. They still kept a couple of horses and dogs, and they enjoyed spending time with their kids and grandchildren.

In January of 2021, Billie and Jerry started their next adventure with a move to Robinson, TX, along with their daughter, Kelly, Son-in-Law, Andy, and three of their grandchildren (Dawson, Broc, and Kalika). They enjoyed lots of time together in Texas, with visits from family and friends, while exploring the Waco area. Billie’s health began to decline over the last couple of years as she struggled with Diabetes. She was hospitalized with pneumonia on March 9^th of this year, and she passed away peacefully the next day, on Monday, March 10^th, surrounded by family.

Billie was a strong leader and a caring mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Billie attended church at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, located at 1624 Wooded Acres Dr in Waco, TX (76710). The family will hold a Celebration of Life service there, on October 18^th, 2025. Memorial donations in Billie’s name can be made to the American Diabetes Association, at https://diabetes.org/?form=FUNVZSRCBSA.

Billie is survived by:

• Her husband of 60 years, Jerome Nenninger (Robinson, TX – 86)
• Her daughter Kelly Gross (nee Nenninger – 46), and her Son-in-Law, Andy Gross (45), of Robinson, TX
• Her son, Chad Nenninger (57) and her Daughter-in-Law, Shawna Porter (54) of Salem, OR
• Her son, Matthew Nenninger (53) and her Daughter-in-Law Tracie Andrews (58) of Portland, OR
• Her brother, Terry Smith (78 – Salem, OR)
• Her Nephew, Travis Smith (54 – Salem, OR)
• Her six grandchildren
• And her 4 great-grandchildren