OBITUARY Billie Jo McRill September 11, 1964 – August 31, 2018 Billie Jo (Cloughton) McRill passed away Friday, August 31, 2018 at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Hospital in Twin Falls. She passed through Heaven’s gates after complications from her 6-year battle with breast cancer. First diagnosed at the age of 32, this fighter beat cancer once, and was determined to do it again.
She fought a fierce battle and in our eyes came out victoriously once again. Billie Jo was born on September 11, 1964 in Sun Valley, Idaho to Ila Holloway Cloughton and Thomas William “Bill” Cloughton. She was raised in Bellevue, Idaho the youngest of her beloved and hardworking sheep ranching family.
She cherished her parents, her 4-H upbringing, and spoke of her time growing up in the Wood River Valley with fondness in every story. After graduating from Wood River High School, Billie Jo attended and graduated from the Idaho State University Cosmetology program. Moving to Twin Falls she began her career which would last her lifetime, 32 years in the field of “making people feel beautiful”.
This was her life’s passion, calling, and ministry, and her clients were far more than just clients. She lived out the last decade of her ministry at Heritage and Woodstone Assisted Living and Retirement Center as their in-house cosmetologist. She took so much pride in loving and making them and their families feel amazing and taken care of.
The first question to her beloved doctor, Dr. David McClusky, after her mastectomy 6 years ago, and before she was even completely conscious was, when she could return back to work and her clients. He, along with her family, scolded her while laughing, expecting nothing less. As the story goes she met John R. McRill Jr. while living in the Colonial Apartments.
Locking her keys in her second story apartment, John became her knight in Air Force uniform. They married May 28th, 1986 and welcomed their twins, Melissa and Brandon, on September 2nd, 1986. On Febuary 28th, 1991, while her husband was deployed during Operation Desert Storm, she welcomed their baby boy John R. McRill III.
She was a crowd favorite, and referred to, and considered as “Mom,” by far more than just her biological children. Billie Jo’s faith was centripetal in the midst of her battles. Church was her lighthouse, her family, her frontline.
She hated to miss a Sunday service, a Monday ladies’ luncheon, or her Wednesday night Bible study. Her dedication to attending church, studying scripture, loving the Lord with all her heart, and pouring her life out to love her community well, is her life’s legacy. She dreamed of one day being a member of the church where her daughter would pastor.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Thomas William and Ila (Holloway) Cloughton; brother-in-law Howard Paul Myers; and neice Margaret C. Myers. She is survived by her husband John Richmond McRill Jr.; daughter Melissa Irene McRill; sons Brandon Eugene McRill and John Richmond McRill III. Her sister’s Maxine Elaine Myers; Thelma Irene Cameron and Husband Les Cameron; and several beloved and cherished nephews, nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces.
Arrangements are under the direction of Reynold Funeral Chapel. A small Graveside Service is scheduled Friday, September 7th at 3:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, with a Celebration Service and Potluck to follow at 5:30 located at Community Christian Church, 303 Grandview Drive South, Twin Falls.
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