Billie Lee Copas, 90, of Salina, KS passed away on January 5, 2021 with his family by his side.
Billie was born May 3, 1930 in Britt, Iowa. He was the youngest son of Joseph and Gladys Benson Copas. He had one brother- Clifton Copas. Billie graduated from Britt High School in 1948. He was a three-sport letterman. His senior year he was the football captain and was named an Iowa All State football player.
Billie was married June 30, 1950 to LaVonne McColley at the brides’ parent’s home in Titonka, Iowa. Their marriage lasted for 69 years until she went home to be with the Lord on September 12, 2019. To this union five children were born – Cynthia Renee, Darla Lenee, Debra Denee, James Joseph, and Mistie Jenee.
Billie and LaVonne moved to Kansas in 1952 and lived in several different Kansas towns. Billie was a heavy equipment operator most of his adult life. He retired from Kansas Wildlife Parks and Tourism after 35 years. He worked all over the state with this job. After retirement, they lived for a time in Bennington and then moved back to Salina. Billie was not one to sit still. He enjoyed working and he passed on his strong work ethic to all his children. After Billie’s retirement from the state, he worked alongside his son building houses for another 20 years. He continued using his talent of creating by putting together and painting wood projects for his grandchildren.
Billie had a heart of gold and showed compassion for all. He cherished his church family. Fellowship with church friends and his men’s small group were dear to him. The prayers he offered at family gatherings would always bring his family to tears.
Billie will be missed by his large surviving family. His four children and their spouses Cindy Boileau, Darla Saltzman, Jim Copas (Kristi), and Mistie Copas-Thomas (Steve); his granddaughters Cari Hollin (Trent), Sumer Whitaker, Alexis Scheibler, and Kaci Copas; his grandsons Calvin Calp Jr., Bret Dunlap (Patti), Brian Miller (Lindsay), and Taylor Copas (Kora). 21 great grandchildren, 18 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; sister-in- law Virginia Copas; brother-in-law Jerome McColley (Beverly) and sister-in-law Dorene Gould.
He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne Copas; parents Joseph and Gladys Copas; brother Clifton Copas; daughter Debbie Copas, Grandson Preston Scheibler; two sons-in-laws Gary Saltzman and Steve Boileau; two nephews Tim and Tom Copas; four sisters in laws Peggy McColley, Glenda Marshall, Rogene Helm, and Janet Rowe; brother-in-law Eldon McColley, and his Father and Mother-in-law James and Lorena McColley.
Visitation without the family present will be from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., Friday, January 15 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 16 at the Bennington Bible Church. Burial will follow in the Bennington Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Preston Scheibler Memorial Scholarship Fund or Children’s Mercy Hospital c/o Rosie Copas and mailed to Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.