Virginia Beach – Billie M. Hanes, 89, passed away Friday, August 24, 2018, following a surgical procedure. She was born in Dallas, Texas, an only child to the late Lon Mitchell and Gladys Nicholson Mitchell. In her teens she moved to Arlington, Virginia, and attended George Washington High School, where she met (and later married) her high school sweetheart. She graduated from Mary Washington College in 1950, and taught high school English for a short time before starting a family.
She was a devoted mother and wife to her husband of 68 years. They designed and built their home at the North end of Virginia Beach in the early 1970’s. She remained active in their family real estate/development business until her passing. Billie loved art (she was a docent at the Chrysler museum), creative expressions (including interior design), traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Billie is pre-deceased by her husband, Richard I. Hanes, and beloved son Robert W. Hanes. Left to cherish her memory is daughter Leslie Susan Hanes, with sons James and Evan Pearson, and great grandson Silas Pearson; daughter Diana Hanes Leskovar, husband Ludwig Leskovar, with their children Daniel, Anne, David, and Matthew; and late son Robert’s girls Kristen Hanes Palmer and Emily Hanes.
A celebration of life gathering will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad.
Cremation Society of VA is handling the arrangements.