Billy Joe Mitchell Jr.

Life Reflections

Billy Joe Mitchell Jr. was born on May 13, 1961 in Omaha Nebraska to the union of Pearl and Billy Mitchell Sr.  Billy departed this life peacefully surrounded by his close family on June 25, 2020 in Independence, Missouri.

Billy grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Paseo High School in 1979.  He joined Morning Star Baptist Church at a young age and remained a member of that church for most of his life having been baptized by the late Rev. Hubert C. Eason.  Billy severed in various capacities within the church including the sanctuary and male chorus, Sunday school, and most recently on the trustee board.  He remained active in the church until early 2020 when his health started to prevent him from doing so, as he was willing to run the church’s PA system at a moment’s notice anytime it was needed.

Upon graduating high school Billy endured on his lifelong career path at UMKC where he started out as a maintenance technician.  He would serve the university for 38 years until 2017, becoming one of the top maintenance technicians on campus, and earning numerous certifications and accolades along the way.  There wasn’t anything on that campus that needed fixed that Billy wouldn’t try to fix.

In his spare time Billy and his friends formed a band named Touché, that would release one studio album, and spend a short amount of time touring the country.  Billy loved music and spent his spare time as a disc jockey spanning the old school classics that we all know and love.  Billy also had a special appreciation and love for any music or projects released by the great Prince Rogers Nelson.

In 1981 Billy’s first daughter Robin was born.  Billy would go on to marry Pat Fields and to this union a second daughter Stephanie would be born in 1987.  In 1996 Billy would marry for a second time his wife and lifelong partner Yolonda Wiley and in this union inherit two additional stepdaughters Katrina and Tamika.

In the final years of his life Billy would spend much of his time caring for his family including assisting his mother with anything she needed until she took her eternal walk in 2019 even while dealing with his own on setting illness.  Billy was also willing to do anything that was needed for his family and friends whenever they called.  Billy was just preparing to finally start enjoying his retirement when the lord called him to his eternal resting place.

Billy is preceded in death by both of his parents Billy Sr. and Pearl Mitchell.  He is survived by his wife, Yolonda; two daughters, Stephanie; and Robin (Delvin); two stepdaughters, Katrina (Jack); and Tamika (Gavin); two sisters, Debra (Clarence); and Angela;  along with close nephews, Billy Joseph; and Keith.  He also is survived by fourteen grandchildren, and a host of other nieces, nephews, and close personal friends.

Billy will forever be missed here on earth, but we need not worry if we live our lives the way Billy lived his we shall all join him one day in his heavenly home with God Almighty on the throne.

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