The Excelsior Standard, Nov. 22, 2024Vernice BillsVernice Marian Bills passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, with her daughter by her side. Born Feb. 16, 1933, in Ponca City, Okla., on the family farm to Albert and Ella Mae Wood, she moved to Kansas City during the Great Depression. Having lost her father in 1945, she began working two jobs when she turned 16 – one at Sears and the other at the Vista Theater on Independence Avenue as the ticket girl – to help support her family. The Vista Theater was owned by H.W. Bills and his wife Jean.With the Mistletoe Ball coming up in Excelsior Springs, Jean had the wonderful idea to set her up on a blind date with C. Patrick Bills, as he was coming home from the Korean War for a two-week leave. After two dates, he returned to the war and wrote her a letter asking her to marry him. She said yes, and he sent her and his brother H.W. out to buy her an engagement ring.They were married on Nov. 15, 1952. I...