Billie Claire Routh, 92 of Smithville, MO, formerly of Easton, MO, passed away Friday, May 14, 2021.

She was born on April 4, 1929 to Lois Claire (Alexander) and Bill Jennings in Cainsville, MO. She attended school in Kansas City and Smithville. In 1946 Billie graduated from Smithville High School where she was co-captain of the girls basketball team. After her graduation, she continued her basketball career, playing on a semi-pro women’s basketball team.

On April 16, 1949 she was united in marriage to John D. Routh. After their marriage they lived in St. Joseph, MO and later moved to Easton, MO where they made their home. In 2013 they moved to Smithville. J.D. passed away on April 26, 2014.

Billie retired from the U.S. Postal Service as the Postmaster in Easton, MO in 1991. In her later years, she continued her love for the post office by volunteering to deliver the mail to the residents at the assisted living facilities she resided in.

She was a member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and Church Women United. Billie enjoyed spending time either with her sister or the “traveling gals” going to lunch, shopping, and collecting things that had meaning to her. She loved traveling abroad especially to Germany to visit her daughter and family. She also loved passing down her recipes and teaching her grandchildren her baking secrets especially her homemade ice cream. 

She was preceded in death by her husband J.D. Routh; her parents Bill Jennings and Lois Jennings Landis; two sons Gary Routh and Robert Routh; and two grandsons Niko John Waschlowski and Ben Waschlowski.

Billie is survived by daughters Janice Hawkins and husband Dale, Smithville, MO and Kathryn Tochterman and husband Karl, Germany; grandchildren, Carmen Weber and husband Bob, Heather Johnson, Chad Hawkins and wife Sarah, Dustin Hawkins and wife Laura, Micha Waschlowski; great-grandchildren Owen, Simon, and Teagan Weber; Emma Claire and Ellie Johnson; Ashton, Katherine and Spencer Hawkins; Brooklyn and Cooper Hawkins; sister Jo Ann Scott and husband Jim; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

Visitation 10:00-11:00 a.m. with Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 17th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower

Burial: Allen Cemetery, Gower.

Donations may be made to the Allen Cemetery.