Billie Joyce (Pace) Short was born June 4, 1934 in Olton, Texas to Benjamin Perry and Artie Cathleen (Watson) Pace.  She passed away March 8, 2020 at the Patterson Health Center in Harper County, Kansas at the age of 85 years.

Billie spent her childhood in Texas, living with her family in several small towns before settling in San Antonio.  It was there that she met Clarice Howard Short while he was in training for the Army.  They were married on November 4, 1951 at Howard's grandparents' house in Harper, Kansas.  After spending a year in Bad Kreuznach, Germany while Howard was in the Army, they returned to Harper to farm and raise a family.  Her favorite part of farming was taking the Jeep out to the pasture to check cattle.  Billie loved children and was a devoted mother and later a loving grandmother.

Billie was a talented artist.  After her children were grown, she spent many happy hours painting.  Her beautiful rural scenes grace the homes of numerous family members and friends. She was a member of the Harper Art Association where she had many dear friends.  She also had an amazing "green thumb" and enjoyed tending her beautiful flower garden.  Billie was a member of the Church of Christ, attending the Westside Church of Christ for many years and more recently attending the Eastside Church of Christ.

Preceding Billie in death are her parents; her husband Howard in 2013; three sisters: Louise Maltby, Jo Dell Carter, and Doris Reed Couch; and one brother James Pace.  She will be greatly missed by her five children: Robert Dale Short and wife Jeanna of El Dorado, Kansas, Daniel Short and wife Vickie of Caldwell, Kansas, David Short and wife Dee of Harper, Kansas, Teresa Shippy and husband Kevin of Manhattan, Kansas, and Tim Short of Wichita, Kansas; 13 grandchildren: Anna (Kyle) McDowell, Tony (Danielle) Short, Colby (Heidi) Short, Corie (Shane) Taylor, Lori (Ryan) Enrico, Cody Short, Kyle Williams, Kyle Short, Alexis Williams, Katelyn Shippy, Ashlynn Burkett, Christopher Short, and Sadie Short; 8 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Cathy Short; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Friends may view and register from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Funeral service is 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Harper with Mr. Eddie Barber officiating.  Interment will follow at the Harper Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harper Art Association or St. Jude Children's Hospital and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is assisting the family with arrangements and services.