Billy Mitchell Sr.

Sketches In The Life Of Billy Mitchell, Sr

Billy Mitchell was born the eighth of 16 children to the late Roosevelt Mitchell Sr. & Callie Irilla Love Mitchell on June 25, 1959 in South Bend, Indiana.

Being born into a large family demands that you quickly find your place.  Well, Billy did just that with his infectious laugh! He was well known for his laughter, which followed him throughout his life and he was well known for it.  He didn’t need a “reason” to smile or laugh, if there was a “reason” looming anywhere on the horizon, Billy would be the one to find it! Although he developed illnesses that caused him constant discomfort and excruciating pain, it didn’t take much to send him into that thunderous laughter and comical expressions causing a rippling outbreak of laughter among his children, siblings and everyone who knew him. Billy loved his family and everyone knew it! His brothers and his sister looked forward to getting a call from him and hearing him laugh. He would often text, message or call his nieces and nephews, to tease them about sports, provide a word of encouragement or just to say, “Hey, I love you!” 

Forty-two years ago, Billy fell in love with his high school sweetheart, the former Rosie Leahman, to whom he pledged his love for life when he married her in May of 1991. God blessed them with two beautiful children – a son, Billy, Jr. and a daughter, Shamika Denise. Billy was an amazing and devoted husband to his wife and a caring father to his children.

With all the responsibilities that came with raising three of their grandchildren (including one with special needs), he still found time to be a caring Godparent.  Billy was determined to show unconditional love, no matter what, by always going the extra mile to ensure that his grandchildren had whatever they needed and that they knew they were loved by him!  Billy was an extraordinary brother who went beyond the call of duty to foster unity among his siblings and family members, an extraordinary uncle to his 47 nieces and nephews, and an attentive Basketball Coach and mentor to the girls on the basketball team at Marquette Primary Montessori Academy, which was one of his greatest joys. Billy was an avid sports fan! He loved Notre Dame University, the Los Angeles Lakers and was forever a Pittsburg Steeler fan!

Billy grew up in a home where gospel music, the Word of God and prayer were staples!  Because of the saturation of these spiritual disciplines demonstrated through his parents, he caught a glimpse of heaven and the love of God!  In his later years and with the inspiration of the new-found faith of his wife, Billy professed his faith in Jesus and was baptized into the membership of the South Bend Berean SDA Church in 2016.

On the evening of Sunday, January 27, 2019, after a sudden incident while at home, Billy went to sleep for the last time, in the arms of Jesus. Preceding him in death are: one grandchild, Antione; three nephews, James Mitchell, Jr., DaQuan Tobar; seven siblings: Jacquelyn Mitchell, Isaac Timothy Mitchell, Lillie B. Mitchell-Tobar and three others who passed away in infancy.

Billy leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved high school sweetheart of 42 years, Rosie Leahman- Mitchell; one son, Billy Mitchell, Jr (Ebony) of Fort Wayne, IN; one daughter, Shamika Denise Mitchell of South Bend, IN; 13 grandchildren including three whom he and Rosie reared from birth:  Shyanne, Shyleena, and Syncere - Ranaysha, Arianna, Daishawnna, Braylan, Bre'Asia; three bonus grandchildren Tra'nia, Davianna and Armon; six brothers, Bobby (Imelda) Mitchell, Sr. of Ooltewah TN, Roosevelt Mitchell, Jr. of St. Louis MO, James (Cynthia) Mitchell, Sr. of Lafayette, IN, Clifford (Michelle) Mitchell, Sr, Elroy Mitchell of Decatur, IL, Jeff (Alecia) Mitchell, Sr. of South Bend, IN, Glen (Shawn) Mitchell, Sr. of Davenport, IA, and one sister, Gwendolyn (A'Donius) McAllister of Joliet, IL; a special nephew, Michael Mitchell; brothers-in-law, James Hamilton of Elkhart, IN, Joe Leahman, Percy Phillips and Vera Phillips of CA; Lillie Phillips and Joann Phillips of South Bend, IN; a maternal aunt, Queen Esther of South Bend, IN; four special Godchildren, Armond Buggs, Vincent Peaks, Tiffany Brantley and Sherry Williams; a favorite High School friends, Jackie Lewis, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and hundreds of people whose lives Billy touched with his smile, his love and his infectious laughter.

Everyone here can testify, Billy was ready, now it’s our turn to make sure we are ready! Rest well, Billy, we’ll see you in the morning!

Funeral Services will take place on Friday February 8, 2019 at 12:00 Noon with a Viewing One-hour prior at Berean Seventh-Day Adventist Church 601 W. Colfax Ave. South Bend, In 46601. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements have been Entrusted to Boyd and Son Funeral Home. www.boydandsonfuneralhome.com            

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