Billie Jean Wheless Neil, 86, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022. Born in North Carolina to William Taft and Naomi Yeargin Wheless, she had lived in Hampton for most of her life where she retired from NASA in 1989 after almost 33 years of service. For most of her life she was a member of East Hampton United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed gardening, shopping, crocheting and embroidery, going to yard sales, cooking and baking. Billie loved her grandchildren and never missed a school function or sporting event.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Neil, her brother, Robert S. "Bobby" Wheless, and her longtime companion Bob Lester. Survivors include her daughter, Debra Neil Akers; her son, Richard E. "Dick" Neil, Jr.; her sister, Ann W. Wilson; four grandchildren, Jake R. Akers and wife, Taylor, Joshua Davies, Andrew S. "Drew" Akers, and Loreigh B. Akers and her fiancé, Grant Tate; a great-granddaughter, Naomi James Akers; and her faithful dog, Bella.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 1, 2022 in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel. The service may be viewed live by clicking HERE .

Memorials may be made to the SPCA or the Animal Aid Society.