1931-2025
Billye Sue Beville Clare, age 93, of Little River, KS completed life's journey on January 29, 2025 at the Rice Community Hospital. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 8, at 10:00 am at the Congregational Church, Little River, KS. A private family inurnment will follow at the Mudd/Clare family plot in Montgomery City, MO.
Born May 3, 1931, in Dallas, TX, Billye was the youngest of three born to Harry Roger and Maude Steinbeck-Woffard Beville. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age ten at the Oakwood Memorial Baptist Church, Oakwood, TX. She was active most of her life in the Baptist faith. When she relocated to Kansas in her later years to be closer to family, she affiliated with the Little River Congregational Church.
Billye was the last remaining member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her parents, a sister, Peggye Beville Rau Booker (2009) and a brother, Mann Roger Beville (2003). Also, her husband of 50 years, Hansford Frank (Bill) Clare (1997), an infant granddaughter, Julia Clare Weis (1996), and nephew, Glenn Roger Beville (2021). Surviving are three daughters: Dr. Suzanne Clare Stewart (Dr. David), of Bridgton, MO, Melissa Clare Weis (Pastor Ted), of Little River, KS, Melanie Clare McKenzie, of Ballwin, MO, and honorary son, H. Marvin Gilmore (Nita), of Sikeston, MO; eight grandchildren: Ryan (Kristi) and Seth McKenzie, Lauren Stewart, Clare Rodriguez, Maxim Stewart, Jenna Townson (Noah), Valerie Reynoso (Nilo), and David Weis; two step-grandchildren: Melissa Stewart (Brian) and Kim Stewart Forthofer (Fred); two great-grandchildren: Arlo McKenzie and Gabriella Rodriguez; eight step-grandchildren: Ian Stewart, Connor Stewart, Stewart Forthofer (Mary), Joseph Forthofer (Katie), Aaron Forthofer, Hillary Alexandra Carlton, David Carlton, and Scot Fuller. Also, special niece, Veronica Beville Sturdevant Rose, of San Antonio, TX, special nephew James Roger Rau (Sandra), of Clarks Summit, PA, and special cousin Steve Adams, of Knoxville, TN.
Billye was educated in Texas schools until the 11th grade level, completing secondary school at the Southeast Missouri State Teachers College Campus High School, Cape Girardeau, MO. On October 24, 1947, she was united in marriage to Hansford Frank (Bill) Clare, a school administrator. Immediately, she began higher education at the same college in elementary education. Billye graduated from Washington University School of Librarianship, followed by a BA degree in law library administration from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. Her long career included the disciplines of education, social work, and law librarianship. In the fifties and sixties, she served as the only child welfare worker in Scott County, MO, with the Department of Family Services, advancing to District Librarian for the St. Louis, MO District Internal Revenue Service. She retired in 1990, as the Southwest Regional Librarian, Office of Chief Counsel, U.S. Treasury, Richardson, TX, being responsible for nine legal collections throughout the region.
Billye held leadership positions in a number of professional and volunteer organizations during which time she was cited for her work with the Boy Scouts of America in which her husband had been active both professionally and in volunteer capacities. She remained active during retirement and enjoyed the role of mother and Grammy. She was an avid reader, a lifelong learner, and in her later years, instrumental in establishing the Little River Congregational Church Library.
Memorials may be given to the Little River Congregational Church Library Fund, Little River, KS or The Gideons in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, KS.
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