1925
Billie
2010
Billie Louise Mazzali
July 27, 1925 — August 11, 2010
Munising
Billie Louise Mazzali, Lt. Colonel, retired, USAF is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She died August 11, 2010, at her home at 1608 Sand Point Road, Munising. She has been in the care of Northwoods Home Health Care Hospice and her family. Billie was born in Munising on July 27, 1925 and lived a life dedicated to God, Country and Family.
Billie was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, Munising where she was an Elder, played the organ and sang in the church choir. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, and was honored by being named Alger County Woman of the Year by the Alger County Historical Society.
Billie graduated from Munising High School, Presbyterian School of Nursing in Chicago with a Registered Nurse degree and a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska. Her early career involved doing disaster relief work for the American Red Cross, doing flood relief in Nebraska, and working on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. She was also one of the first nurses to use the Sister Kenney treatment for polio victims, and was in charge of nurse training for the Kenney treatment method for the city of Houston, Texas.
She entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant, and served on bases in Germany and in the States. She was stationed at Edwards AFB California in the early days of astronaut training and knew several of the first astronauts who at that time were test pilots at Edwards. Billie flew as a medical evacuation nurse from Viet Nam to Japan and from there to the states. She spoke many times of the emotional impact of flying the young wounded warriors and of the respect she had for them. She never forgot, and came to despise the activities of notables such as Hanoi Jane Fonda, and of the peace activists who spat at and ridiculed returning Viet Nam vets. Billie was stationed at Cam Ruhn Bay Hospital when all the nurses were issued M-1 rifles. Her military career ended at Sawyer AFB Hospital in Gwinn. She was awarded the Air Medal, Air Force Accommodation Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and Vietnamese Campaign Medal.
Following her Air Force retirement she worked as a public health nurse in Alger County, as a seasonal employee of the National Park Service, and for 12 years at Shoji Tobuchi entertainment in Branson, Missouri. While at Shoji's she represented the Air Force nurses on stage for their Armistice Day celebration. She was also a partner in Mr. B's Restaurant, with other family members. In recent years Billie has spent summers in Munising, and winters in Laguna Vista, Texas. Her time has been spent doing the things she loved to do - cooking, knitting and painting.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents, Alice (Bowerman) and William "Shorty" Mazzali, and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by 2 sisters, Norma (William) Henninger, Elizabeth (Austin) Geary, brothers Charles, and William (Gerry), as well as a number of nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
In observing her request, there will be no funeral service.
Billie Louise Mazzali, Lt. Colonel, retired, USAF is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She died August 11, 2010, at her home at 1608 Sand Point Road, Munising. She has been in the care of Northwoods Home Health Care Hospice and her family. Billie was born in Munising on July 27, 1925 and lived a life dedicated to God, Country and Family.
Billie was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, Munising where she was an Elder, played the organ and sang in the church choir. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, and was honored by being named Alger County Woman of the Year by the Alger County Historical Society.
Billie graduated from Munising High School, Presbyterian School of Nursing in Chicago with a Registered Nurse degree and a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska. Her early career involved doing disaster relief work for the American Red Cross, doing flood relief in Nebraska, and working on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. She was also one of the first nurses to use the Sister Kenney treatment for polio victims, and was in charge of nurse training for the Kenney treatment method for the city of Houston, Texas.
She entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant, and served on bases in Germany and in the States. She was stationed at Edwards AFB California in the early days of astronaut training and knew several of the first astronauts who at that time were test pilots at Edwards. Billie flew as a medical evacuation nurse from Viet Nam to Japan and from there to the states. She spoke many times of the emotional impact of flying the young wounded warriors and of the respect she had for them. She never forgot, and came to despise the activities of notables such as Hanoi Jane Fonda, and of the peace activists who spat at and ridiculed returning Viet Nam vets. Billie was stationed at Cam Ruhn Bay Hospital when all the nurses were issued M-1 rifles. Her military career ended at Sawyer AFB Hospital in Gwinn. She was awarded the Air Medal, Air Force Accommodation Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and Vietnamese Campaign Medal.
Following her Air Force retirement she worked as a public health nurse in Alger County, as a seasonal employee of the National Park Service, and for 12 years at Shoji Tobuchi entertainment in Branson, Missouri. While at Shoji's she represented the Air Force nurses on stage for their Armistice Day celebration. She was also a partner in Mr. B's Restaurant, with other family members. In recent years Billie has spent summers in Munising, and winters in Laguna Vista, Texas. Her time has been spent doing the things she loved to do - cooking, knitting and painting.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents, Alice (Bowerman) and William "Shorty" Mazzali, and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by 2 sisters, Norma (William) Henninger, Elizabeth (Austin) Geary, brothers Charles, and William (Gerry), as well as a number of nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
In observing her request, there will be no funeral service.
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