Billie C. Vitrano's Obituary
Billie Jean Cooley was born on June 7, 1925 in Boyce, Louisiana, the youngest of three sisters. She grew up with on a farm with hard working and devoted parents. At 19 she married the love of her life, ClaudiusRupert Bryant, in Alexandria, and then followed him out west, where he was stationed for the Navy. After the war, they settled down in a house in Hayward, CA, along with their best friends .. A few years later Billie and Claudius had their only child, Jolie Gail Bryant, whom Billie often referred to as “the light of her life.” While Claudius worked as a carpenter Foreman on the docks, Billie worked as a Bank teller and eventually found a career as an adjudicator for the state unemployment office. It was during this time that Billie came to a saving faith in Christ, and became actively involved in her church, Fairway Park Baptist Church. Tragically, Claudius passed away in the late 1970s. Despite the heartbreak of that loss, Billie was able to open herself up to love again and began a second phase of her life. In 1980 she married Joe Vitrano, a neighbor and dear friend, and who was a widower as well. Only a year after their own marriage, Billie and Joe celebrated the marriage of Billie’s daughter Jolie to Mike Egusa. Within a few years, Billie and Joe became grandparents to Jolie and Mike’s two children, Christopher and Kelly. By this time, Billie and Joe were referred to as “Mamaw” and & “Grandpa Joe” They were inseparable in their retirement years and adored and spoiled their Grandchildren . Mamaw was involved in Children’s Church at Bay hill’s and also got connected with Bible Study Fellowship where she grew in the Lord and made many life long friends. After a long illness, Grandpa Joe passed away in 2005. Mamaw continued to be actively involved in both Bay Hills, and also her final church “home”, Mission Springs Community Church, where Mike was the pastor. In her final years, though her body declined, she never lost her sharp wit, keen intelligence and generous and loving spirit. She had a huge influence and everyone she touched felt loved. You immediately became family and were accepted when you met her. She passed away at home, surrounded by her family and close friends as well as loving hospice staff. She is with her dear Lord and Savior, free of her failing earthly body. We look forward to seeing her again one day. She is survived by her daughter, Jolie, her husband Mike and 2 grandchildren, Christopher and Kelly. A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, September 16 at Mission Springs Community Church at 1:00pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Billie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Billie?
Share a story where Billie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Billie you’ll never forget.
How did Billie make you smile?