Wilma J. (Burkhalter) Hazlett

Wilma Jean "Billye" Hazlett, 97, of Frankfort, beloved mother of five, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Wesley Manor.

She was born on July 28, 1928, near Mulberry, to Lloyd Dale and Ines Vallie (Lewis) Burkhalter. On August 24, 1947, she married Russell Morris Hazlett at her parents’ home near Pyrmont, Indiana, and they were married 68 years before his passing on February 20, 2016.

Billye graduated from Rossville High School in 1946. While a fulltime homemaker, she also worked outside the home at various times over the years, including at the Bargain Barn in Michigantown and for People’s Life Insurance Company in Frankfort. She also cleaned apartment complexes and homes in Frankfort. She was a member of Geetingsville Presbyterian Church for over 65 years, serving as trustee and elder. Like her husband, Billye was a “Jill of all trades”: baking, caning chairs, care giving, cooking, crocheting, gardening, knitting, mowing, painting, reupholstering, sewing, wallpapering – she could do it all. The ultimate Mrs. Fix It! She enjoyed doing all these things over the years and especially phoning her kids to stop by after work for a meal or to pick up cake, cookies, or pie! All these things were important, but nothing more than caring about her family, both near and far.

Billye was a caring and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, and friend. Remember her as a wonderful woman who touched so very many lives.

Billye is survived by her children, Alan (Anne), Brad, Doug (Cathy), Jeni (Dave) Royalty, and Mari Ann (Mike) Paton; ten grandchildren, Justin (Lori), Brett (Laura), Jeff (Ali), Evan (Meagan), and Nick (Cari) Hazlett, Amanda (Henry) Mitchell, Daniel Royalty, and Macy, Alex, and Will Paton; sixteen great-grandchildren, Gage (Crystal Davis) Eli, Skylar, Zoe, Olivia, Reaganne, Ethan, Colin, Isabelle, Chloe, Emry, Blake, Drew, Logan, Adelynn, and Eleanor Hazlett, and Celine Mitchell; and two great-great- grandchildren, Videl Arwood and Eri Eli. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Billie Burkhalter, and longtime high school friends, Phyllis McDaniel and Beth Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents, along with six brothers and six sisters and their spouses: Jack (Gus), Paul (Mary), Dale (Lucille; Jane), Harold/Bud (Doris), George, and Kenneth Burkhalter; Ruth (James/Doc) Newhart, Pauline (Lewis) Davis, Fern (Harold) Myers, Helen (Howard) Heavilon, Evelyn/June (Bob) Bol, and Elizabeth Burkhalter.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Day & Genda Funeral Home in Frankfort from 11:00 a.m. to the start of the memorial service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Billye’s name may be made to Geetingsville Presbyterian Church (2037 E State Rd 26, Frankfort, IN, 46041) or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org / 8720 Castle Creek Pkwy E Dr #100, Indianapolis, IN 46250). Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.dayandgenda.com.

Family members express their gratitude and thanks to the nurses, aides, and other helpful staff in the Health Center at Wesley Manor for caring and loving Billye during her time there. Your kindness means so much.