Search by Name

Search by Name

Billie THROWER Obituary

THROWER, Billie Chapman Passed away peacefully in her home in Sonoma, CA on Friday, December 18th, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. She was 65. Billie was born on March 31st, 1950 in Washington, DC to parents William and Viola Chapman. She grew up traveling with her military family, living in Athens, Greece, Richmond, VA and Colorado Springs, CO before relocating to Saratoga CA. The oldest of eight siblings, she loved playing outdoors and inventing games for her brothers and sisters with her creative mind and playful spirit. Billie was an early entrepreneur, making the best slingshots on her block and selling them to her neighbors. Her mom died when she was 11 years old, and her father remarried quickly, adding two more children to the Chapman clan. As the eldest of now ten, Billie blossomed into the caring, mothering, kind and loving matriarch that she is known for today. After finishing high school and studying at West Valley College in Saratoga, Billie took a job with a major bank, which transferred her to the city of Chicago. Her office shared a building with a major advertising agency, and on her lunch break one day she met with one of the designers, and asked how they broke into the industry. Fiercely determined, she asked for a week off of work and spent her time creating a portfolio on her living room floor by cutting out ads from magazines and re-doing them with her own creative twist. She then began calling agencies from the yellow pages for job inquiries and landed a position before she could even get out of the A's. Billie continued her success in the advertising industry in Chicago and San Francisco, establishing her own firm with a partner. She loved her work and had settled into her life with her two dogs when everything changed one October evening in 1984 when she was rear ended on hwy 101 by James Thrower. Billie's face always lit up when she told the story of how she met her beloved husband, saying that she was so angry when she first confronted him, but his quick wit and charm grew on her and by the end, he had her laughing even in the toughest of situations. This would be the precedent for the rest of their lives together. Jim and Billie were one of those couples who immediately knew they wanted to be together forever, and by March of 1986 they had their first daughter, quickly followed by two more in 1987 and 1989 in San Rafael, California. They relocated to Sonoma in 1993. Billie's true pride and joy was being a mother to her three daughters, Alli, Jamie and Lauren (Lulu). She hand sewed Halloween costumes, taught them how to draw, encouraged art and music and playfulness, fostered their love for animals and had an imagination and fierce love that made their childhood filled with wonder and magic. Billie actively volunteered in her children's classrooms, and her kindness and compassion impacted the lives of all of their childhood friends. She was a mom to so many more than just her own three daughters, and a dear friend and confidant to many of their parents. Billie continued to pursue her deepest passions, which included art, writing and nature. In 2013 she became a docent at the Bouverie Preserve and led educational hikes and presentations to the public schools throughout Sonoma County, sharing her knowledge of plants and trees and flowers with everyone who crossed her path. She took numerous art classes and had her own art studio where she created brilliant collages and hand bound books and crafted faerie houses with her granddaughter Chloe. Being Chloe's Grammy was the most important part of her world and she was overjoyed to find out she was going to have another granddaughter due in March 2016. Billie is known for her kindness, her unconditional love, compassion, gentleness and ability to see beauty everywhere she went. The world is filled with more magic and love because she was in it. She is survived by her three daughters Allison Thrower, Jamie Thrower, Lauren Thrower and son-in-law Saif Azzuz, granddaughter Chloe James, brothers John Chapman, David Chapman, Paul Chapman, Bill Chapman, and Robert Chapman, her sisters Carla Brown and Andy Bridgens, step-brother Steve Chapman, and half sister Cindy Chapman, as well as countless nieces and nephews, aunties and cousins. Her husband Jim Thrower preceded her in death in 2008. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life on Saturday January 2nd, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at The Sonoma Veterans Hall in Sonoma. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Billie's name to Commonweal Cancer Help Program in Bolinas, CA ([email protected]).

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

Published by Sonoma Index-Tribune from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Billie THROWER

Not sure what to say?





Bill Werme

January 5, 2016

We all had so much fun with Billie back in Chicago, we were blessed to have had her in our presence. My sympathies and prayers to her lovely (and big) family.

Carmelo Sabatella

January 4, 2016

Billie was a beautiful human being; creative, talented and an inspiration to many. She will be missed.

Jnani Chapman

January 4, 2016

Blessings blessings tand all my prayers go out to all of you ~ who must be an incredible family ~ What a light and joy is Billie ~ even to those of us who just met her over the week at Commonweal ~ I hope that any family who cares to will come out to see this magic spot on the edge of the Pacific
~ Jnani Chapman

Terry Abrahamson

January 4, 2016

One more pic from the JWT days - Billie w Bill Werme.

Terry Abrahamson

January 4, 2016

A wonderful person, we were lucky to have her.
And what a cool old vw beetle!

Mary Szykowny

January 1, 2016

Beautiful, elegant, gracious and compassionate....Billie, you will be missed. Our prayers and love go out to your girls.

Sara Babin

January 1, 2016

I read of Billie's passing as I checked my phone at midnight in France. My heart sank and then Billie's beautiful smile came to me. I went back to my friends and danced with joy knowing that she would have wanted exactly that. All of the participants at Commonweal had the pleasure of experiencing her warmth and joy.

Lesley McAllister

December 31, 2015

I have thought of her often since we met at Commonweal. The obit reflects her beauty. Her memory is a blessing.

Amy Paterson

December 31, 2015

I had the blessing of meeting Billie at Commonweal. My life was and is made much brighter and richer by knowing her. Sending love and comfort to her family whom she spoke of with so much love.

Sally Fernandez

December 29, 2015

Love and prayers continue. We were all graced by her presence and now are blessed to have known Billie.

Denise and Keith Hartman

December 28, 2015

Thank you for your loveliness! You've had tremendous meaning in our lives Billie. We Love you Dearly and Deeply!

Stephanie Stubbs

December 27, 2015

This is such a hard time for you all. Your momma was a wonderful, caring and gracious lady. Take care!

Stubbs family

December 27, 2015

We are so very sad to hear of Billie's passing.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results

Make a Donation
in Billie THROWER's name

Memorial Events
for Billie THROWER

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Billie's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Billie THROWER's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more