Dr. Billie Sue Willits November 16, 1946November 20, 2019 Dr. Billie Sue Willits, 73, of State College passed away on November 20, 2019 after a long fight with cancer. She was surrounded with love by her family in Hutto, Texas. Dr. Willits was born on November 16, 1946 in Clinton, Iowa to Vernon Clyde and Thelma Sylvia (Hintz) Willits, who preceded her in death. She was married to the late Edward Kelley Jr. who also preceded her in death. Dr. Willits was a wonderful grandmother and an active member of the community. She graduated from high school in Camanche, IA and afterwards attended Mount Saint Clair College, where she received her associates degree. After Mount Saint Clair, she attended the University of Iowa, where she received her undergraduate degree and where she also completed both her master's in English Literature and her doctorate in Labor Relations. After getting her Ph.D., she worked in several cities before accepting a position as the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Penn State University. In addition to her work at Penn State in Human Resources, Dr. Willits also taught classes at Penn State with her late husband and also on her own. Dr. Willits was an active member of AAUW, Skills and Penn State Hockey (where she helped to coach the Penn State Lady Icers to their first 3 national championship tournaments). She was also active on many boards such as Geisinger Medical, Hershey Medical and most recently as a chair on the State College-Centre County Mental Health Task Force. She leaves behind her son Teague Willits-Kelley and his wife Michelle of State College; sister Jacque Willits of Camanche, Iowa; sister Abby and her husband Steve Maniccia of Hutto, Texas; brother Vernon "Skip" Willits Jr. and his partner Kristin of Camanche, Iowa; two grandchildren. Dr. Willits very much enjoyed her students, summer afternoons in Iowa with her husband relaxing on the Mississippi River and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 13th at Grace Lutheran Church located at 205 S. Garner St. State College, PA. Visitation will be from 2-3pm, memorial services from 3-4pm and a memorial celebration afterwards from 5-7pm at Gigi's located at 2080 Cato Ave. State College, PA. In lieu of flowers, we request that any memorial donations be sent to Skills of Central PA 341 Science Park Road State College PA 814-238-3245 in memory of Billie Sue Willits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Centre Daily Times on Dec. 11, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Billie Willits

12 Entries

tim banse

March 20, 2025

Billy Sue taught English at Clinton Community College in Iowa where I attended on the GI Bill in 1974. She complemented my writing and offered encouragement, inspiring me to start what came to be a successful career as a writer. For her kind words I owe her so much. Thank you, Billy.

Barb & Steve Penstone

December 13, 2019

Billie and Ed were dear friends and members of the Icers family. Our prayers are with Teague and the family. May she rest in peace

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Erica Kresovich-Rockey

December 12, 2019

Dr. Willits was one of my most influential professors at Penn State. Her passion for HR radiated and led to my passion for Human Resources and my future educational and career goals. She challenged me and supported me endlessly, and I adored her. I am very saddened to hear of her passing. God Bless you Dr. Willits and the family that you leave behind.
You will certainly be remembered very fondly.
With love,
Erica Kresovich-Rockey

Deana Coine

December 12, 2019

Teague and family:
Our sincere sympathy for your loss. Keeping you in our prayers.

The Coine family: Don, Deana, Donnie and Daron

Onnalita Sutton

December 11, 2019

Aunt Billie will live on through our memories and her deeds, for generations to come. She was an extraordinarily vibrant woman, who will remain a beloved role model for me. She is deeply missed.Our condolences. My family is thinking of yours at this most difficult time.

Wendell Courtney

December 11, 2019

God Bless you Billie. You and Jim Elliott were the absolute best HR representatives that PSU ever had, and I would imagine you and Jim are reminiscing over old HR war stories, of which there are many, and having a blast together in Heaven. Rest in Peace.

Derek Arledge

December 11, 2019

Billie, you were the first head coach that I ever coached under. You were the only one who truly led with your faith. A true leader. I thank you for pathing the way. We won. You won!"

Marty Malone

December 11, 2019

Billie was an inspiration and role model to those she touched. The world is a better place because of Billie Willits.

Jeanne Cocolin

December 11, 2019

Your beautiful smile and energy will be greatly missed in our neighborhood. So blessed to have you as our neighborhood for the last 20 years. Rest in peace dear one. Jeanne Cocolin

Diane Collins

December 11, 2019

Teague and family,

Sincere condolences, your mom was an outstanding woman whom I admired greatly. Not only as a student but as a PSU employee also.

December 11, 2019

You were my boss, my friend and my mentor. I will miss our talks and seeing your smiling face. You will live forever in my heart. I love you and always will.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

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Memorial Events
for Billie Willits

Dec

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church

205 S. Garner St., State College, PA

Dec

Memorial service

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church

205 S. Garner St., State College, PA

Dec

Celebration of Life

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Gigi's

2080 Cato Ave., State College, PA

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Billie Sue Willits

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