Billie Jean Buff Manion, 83, of Melbourne passed away at her home, The Fountains of Melbourne on January 18, 2018. She was born on December 26, 1934 in Chickamauga, GA. She graduated high school in 1953 and married her next door neighbor and childhood sweetheart.

As a devoted wife and mother, she spent most of her time taking care of her home while managing with grace and ease. As a wife to LTC Thomas W. Buff ( a highly decorated officer of the Army) for 22 years , she served alongside him as an army wife and traveled with the family for worldwide assignments. Following the untimely death of her first husband in 1976, she spent the next ten years in the banking and insurance industry. In 1987, she fell in love and married longtime friend and fellow officer to Thomas Buff, COL Richard Adams Manion. They were happily married for 31 years and spent their golden years traveling in their RV. Once they settled down, both were heavily involved in Republican politics.

Billie Jean was known for her ability to make everyone around her feel loved and knew how to make them feel special. Her infectious smile and laugh could light up any room. She was known for speaking up for things she believed in . Her faith in God was of highest importance to her and became the cornerstone of her decision making for the rest of her life. She will forever be remembered for sharing Christ with others and could oftentimes be found with her Bible on her lap.

Billie resided for the last 6 years at The Fountains of Melbourne due to the progression of Alzheimer's disease, where she made numerous friends and made an impression on everyone she met. Even in her final days, she offered love and smiles for everyone who came to visit and left a legacy for us all. She and Dick loved each other very much and his love and devotion for her was remarkable.  They both enjoyed spending time together and he sat by her side holding her hand and proclaiming his love for her up until she left this world for Heaven. She received excellent care from the staff at The Fountains. The selfless love and care that all of the staff gave her contributed to a great quality of life for her in the last six years.

She is preceded in death by her parents William and Nila Ruth Schmitt, her first husband LTC Thomas Buff and her stepdaughter Jillann Manion.

She is survived by her husband Richard A "Dick" Manion, children Marlon Buff (Christy), David Buff (Janet), stepchildren Liane Henry (Scott), Richard A Manion (Rosie) also survived by  mother to his children Cindy Manion, Lynne Nungesser, Robert Manion, Lori Arnold (Ken), Russ Manion and also survived by the mother to his children Kim Manion.

Her grandchildren include Michelle Buff, Thomas S Buff (Jessica), Matthew (Christy), Daniel Buff, Robin Buff, Carley Buff, April Buff ( Brian), Malachi Buff, Logan Henry, Adam Henry, Stacey Clark (Burt), Lindsey Rehmer (James), Garrett Manion (Tayler), Danny Nungesser (Amy), Tim Nungesser (Natalie), Philip Nungesser (Rachelle), Megan Arnold, Kristi Herold (Michael), Kenny Arnold (Haley), Erika Thompson (Ryan), Alissa Petersen (Andy), and 24 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday January 28, 2018 at 2pm at The Fountains of Melbourne. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation be made to the Health First Aging Institute for memory care in her honor.