Josie Sutton Bills

Jan 17, 1941 -

Jul 2, 2022

Josie Sutton Bills, 81, of Homer and Anchorage, Alaska, passed away from complications of Alzheimer's on July 2, 2022. She was born on Jan. 17, 1941, in Mobile, Ala. Josie graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile and received her teaching degree from Auburn University in 1961. After teaching stateside for three years, she began teaching for the DOD School System in Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, she met and married a widower, James Ray Bills, in October 1968. After leaving the Philippines in 1972, they lived in Hawaii for a year, followed by 10 years on Adak, Alaska, and finally retired to Homer, in 1983. In addition to being a teacher, Josie worked for the U.S. Census Bureau, volunteered her time for the Pratt Museum, the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies and the Elderhostel Program for many years. She was a world traveler, a Master Gardener and a brutal Bridge player. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Ray Bills. Josie is survived by her husband's children, Michael (Ann) Bills of Sitka, Alaska, Patrick (Barbara) Bills of Maricopa, Ariz., Timothy Bills of Homer, and Tana (Gary) Kirkhart of Anchorage; sister, Theles Woodfin, of Mobile; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Josie will be interred with her husband on Aug. 3, 2022, at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Those wishing to attend, please contact her daughter, tanakirkhart1957@gmail.com, no later than Monday morning, Aug. 1, 2022, to provide needed information to access the base.

A Celebration of Life will be held following internment at the Lake Front Hotel on Spenard Road from 1-4 p.m. All are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing everyone at one or both of the gatherings. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Center, alzalaska.org.