- Date Of Birth: June 4, 1940
- Date Of Death: April 20, 2017
- State: Michigan
\William E. “Billy Bee” Barrs, age 76, of Edwardsburg, died peacefully, Thursday, April 20, 2017, in Elkhart General Hospital.
He was born June 4, 1940, in Dowagiac, Michigan to Edward and Beatrice Barrs.
He married Judith A. Kinch in January 1972 in Cassopolis, Michigan.
She preceded him in death in 1995. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marcia Barrs Horvat, Patti Jo Barrs; and one brother, Dale Hydorn.
Billy Bee served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and the National Guard. He served as the Police Chief of Cassopolis and later retired as Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy (Badge # 1404). He had also served as the director of the ambulance service for Cassopolis. Billy Bee owned Barrs Custom Firewood in Edwardsburg. His family teased him about painting everything blue and maize as a lifelong University of Michigan fan. He watched every game of the Chicago White Sox that he possibly could. Billy Bee was an independent thinker, best described by his family as “eccentric,” and was famous for sending cryptic notes.
Billy Bee will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by one son, Lonnie (Danielle) Pyzsnliski of Scottsdale, Arizona; two grandchildren; six sisters, Leah Brown of Edwardsburg, Sue (Mark) Fralick of NIles, Mary Hartness of Nashville, Arkansas, Liz Clifford of Florida, Jane (Brian) Barrs of Ishpeming, Cassie (Matthew) Wiederman, Ann Arbor; one brother, John Barrs of Mishawaka; a host of nieces and nephews, including favorite niece, Stephanie (Jeff Borton) Brown Cline of Edwardsburg; nephews, Robert (Rita) Parrish of Edwardsburg, Lonnie (Jennifer) Brown of Edwardsburg, Travis (Shannan) Brown of Vandalia; dearest friend Alice Toney of Dowagiac; good friend and neighbor Maura Meirick; and his coffee buddies at McDonalds in Edwardsburg.
