Billy Jean Horne

Billy Jean was born on September 9, 1927 in Havana, Arkansas. She passed on January 24, 2024 at the age of 96. She was a pioneer in the computer industry! While working in Washington D.C., she met the love of her life, Harold Joseph Horne. They were married May 22, 1965 and enjoyed 59 years together. 

Billy Jean was the daughter of Ollis Everett and Carrie Faye McBride. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Joseph, her parents, her sister, Betty Jo Nonnemacher, her nephew, Thomas McLean and her grandkitten, Debbie. She is survived by her son, Charles Christopher, grandkitten, Clarence, her nieces, Carolyn Jean Dugger (Jerry) and Jamie Johanson (Pete), grandnieces and nephews, Holly Dugger Babb (James) and Hayley Dugger Hersey (Prescott) and Trenton Jackson (Julie) and Patrick McLean; and great-grandnieces and nephews Avery Jaclyn Babb, Owen Turner Babb, and Emilie Rose Jackson.

Billy Jean graduated from University of Arkansas South in 1949 with a degree in Math. She began her career as a teacher in Holly Grove, Arkansas. After 4 years of teaching, she was recruited in 1953 to work with computers for National Security Agency in Washington, D.C. Later she transferred to Vitro Laboratories where she met the love of her life, Harold Joseph Horne. Billy Jean and Joe later worked for Control Data. She worked in the computer world well past her retirement! 

Billy Jean loved spending her time tracing her family history, knitting, and reading. She was able to trace her family history to 1486. She was a proud member of D.A.R. and served in many leadership roles and enjoyed the fellowship.

A gathering is planned for Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 12 Noon to 1:30 pm at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. Private interment Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Harold "Joe" Horne Memorial Scholarship 11776157 with The University of Illinois Foundation at 1305 Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801.