Billie Eloise Iles Reynolds

Billie Eloise Iles Reynolds born March 26, 1929 in Oakland, CA passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025 in Newberg, OR (three days shy of her 96th birthday!) Billie is preceded in death by her parents Walter (Buck) and Frances O. Iles; siblings Calvert, Mondella (Monti), and Hubert; husband, William V. Reynolds; and grandson, Lee Reynolds. Billie is survived by her children, Gil Reynolds (Carmen), Wendy Bryant (Michael), Cindy Waple (Brian) and Christy Dirren; grandchildren Sean, Brendan, Linzie, Wil, Ben; and great-grand daughters Everly, Dylan and Marcella. Billie’s early years were spent in Basin, Wyoming, moving to Phoenix, AZ in 1941 for her mother’s health. She was active in Sunday School and recalls that when singing “Jesus loves me…” she deeply believed it to be true her entire life. Billie developed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge at a young age and remained an avid reader. While attending Phoenix Union High School in 1944, Billie was the lead in the Senior Play and won The Goldwater Award for outstanding Senior in a class of 729. In 1950, while active in the Phoenix Little Theater, she met a redhead named Bill Reynolds. They were married in 1950, and moved to Oregon in 1953. Billie and Bill (Red) worked together as a creative and organized team writing and directing movies, producing two independent films and a TV pilot; they owned their own advertising agency in Salem, OR, and eventually moved to Washington DC to lobby for and direct the National School Transportation Assoc. (NSTA). As Executive Director, Billie was one of the first women to head a national trade organization. After Bill’s untimely death in 1981, Billie and the youngest child, Christy, moved to Scottsdale, AZ and was inspired to write a book for women without any experience with household finances, “Planning is the Key.” Billie became active in a spiritual renewal program in her church, The Walk to Emmaus. She was proud to have served on 23 weekend retreats, or “Walks”! Her children, Gil, Wendy, Cindy and Christy are thankful for Billie, and for the many lives she touched. A celebration of Billie’s life will be held at Newberg United Methodist Church, 1205 Deborah Road, Newberg, OR on July 19 at 1:00 PM. Billie was a diligent supporter of organizations that served the poor and underprivileged around the world. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to your favorite charity.

Billie Eloise Iles Reynolds

March 26, 1929 - March 23, 2025