Mrs. JOYCE BATCHELDER BILLS

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Joyce Batchelder Bills, died Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Hospice Atlanta. Formerly a long-term resident of Fort Worth, Joyce moved to Georgia in 2016 at the request of her children. Mrs. Bills was 88. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at Trinity Episcopal Church. As she requested, Joyce's cremated remains will be placed in the church’s columbarium in the niche next to her daughter, Paula, following the service. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to: Trinity Episcopal Church, 3401 Bellaire Drive South, Fort Worth, Texas 76109, www.fortworthtrinity.org, or to a charity of choice, in her memory, is suggested. Born June 17, 1929 in Dixon, Ill., Joyce was the daughter of John Keene and Bernice Friedline Batchelder. She grew up in Dixon with her parents and brother, John Dudley Batchelder. In her youth, Joyce was an accomplished pianist, swimmer, and student. She developed a social conscience early in life, emulating her father, J.K., who volunteered his resources and time to his community, as his father, John M. Batchelder, before him. Joyce graduated from Rockford College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and married Rockford, Illinois native, Lloyd Thornton Bills, who was enjoying a career in the advertising business. They moved to Fort Worth in the early 1950's, where she remained until she moved to Atlanta in 2016. They had 3 children: twin daughters, Cynthia and Paula Bills and son, John Batchelder Bills. After divorcing her husband, Joyce embarked on raising her children, earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work and pursuing what became a 30-year career in the field of education and social work. After working briefly as an elementary teacher in nearby Kennedale, she began as a case worker for the Tarrant County Department of Child Welfare and ended her career with her appointment by the Governor of Texas to Deputy Director of Juvenile Justice for Tarrant County, Texas – Texas Child Protective Services. Following retirement, Joyce served in numerous volunteer capacities, including the Royal Orleans North Homeowners Association and Samaritan House of Fort Worth as well as serving on the Grand Jury of Tarrant County, a position she enjoyed immensely. A lifelong Episcopalian, Joyce was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church for over 60 years. She enjoyed playing bridge, working several crossword puzzles simultaneously and was never one to shy away from voicing her opinion. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; beloved daughter, Paula; and brother, John. SURVIVORS: In addition to her children, Cynthia and her husband, Michael M. Reid of Atlanta, Ga., and John B. Bills and his wife, Lisa, of Dallas, “Granny Jo” leaves behind six adoring grandchildren, John Robert Eimer, Kristen Ames Eimer, Michael Miller Reid Jr., Jonathan Grant Bills and his wife, Grace Anne, Natalie Erin Bills and Blaine David Bills. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. JOYCE BATCHELDER BILLS please visit our Sympathy Store.