Billie Danley

A Life Devoted to Faith and Family

Our beloved mother, Mrs. Billie Danley, a true virtuous woman who feared the Lord, peacefully went home to be with Jesus on September 11, 2026.

Born in Okolona, Arkansas, on October 17, 1932, to her late parents, William Braggs and Rosie Lee Braggs, she grew up with rich stories of the old days, fondly remembering her upbringing and her childhood horse. She was a straight shooter who always told the absolute truth with love, guiding her family with firm wisdom, strength, and an unwavering commitment to what was right.

She was married in Blytheville, Arkansas, to the love of her life, John Henry Danley, Sr. He was her first and only love, and together they shared more than 50 years of marriage. She was a dedicated and devoted wife, faithfully standing beside her husband and honoring her sacred marriage vows until the very end. Their marriage was built upon love, faith, commitment, and an enduring partnership. Together, they were the ultimate pillars of their family, beautifully living out their promise to lift one another up through every season of life.

When her beloved husband was called home, she carried forward the legacy they built together. She remained devoted to the family they created, preserving the values, love, strength, and faith that defined their marriage. Her commitment to John and to their family never wavered. Even after his passing, his presence remained a cherished part of her heart and her story. She carried their shared legacy forward, sustained by her greatest love of all: Jesus Christ.

A Woman of Faith, Love, and Family

Mom loved entertaining and filling her home with warmth, laughter, food, and love. Her home was a place where family could gather and feel welcomed. She had a way of making people feel cared for, while never being afraid to speak the truth when guidance was needed.

In her quiet time, she found great joy in watching cowboy movies and listening to pastors and inspirational speakers on television. She especially loved the preaching of Terry Anderson and the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and she would peacefully drift off to sleep each night with their messages filling her room.

Above all, Mom loved God and her family. Her faith was not simply something she spoke about—it was something she lived. Through every joy, every hardship, every loss, and every season of life, her relationship with Jesus remained her foundation.

She was preceded in death by her beloved and devoted husband, John Henry Danley Sr.; her parents, William Braggs and Rosie Lee Braggs; her brother, William Braggs, Jr.; and her two sisters, Dorothy Graham, and Rosie Sims.

She leaves behind a beautiful, thriving family who will forever carry her teachings, wisdom, strength, and love in their hearts:

Her Loving Children:

Velma Danley-King, Betty Danley-Putnam (Arthur), Johnnie Washington (Edward), and Dr. John Danley, Jr. (Leesa).

Her 14 Cherished Grandchildren:

Shanan Danley, whom she lovingly raised as a son,

Leslie, Praton, Curetia, Drumain, Arthur Jr., Jo’Nell, Ashley, John III, Kent, Jocelyn, Isaiah and JadaPaige.

A blessed host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who represent the generations of love she planted and the legacy she leaves behind; along with her beloved brothers, John Ashley, Thedious Braggs and sister, Jackie Dickinson, whom she was blessed to come to know later in life.

Special Acknowledgments & Thanks

The family wishes to express their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the Aurora Zilber Family Hospice team for the exceptional, tender, and compassionate care they provided to our family during Mom’s final season of life.

A very special thank you to her nieces: Tami, for the beautiful and thoughtful gifts, and Sharon Burt, for the overwhelming love and care you continually poured out. Your kindness, compassion, and generosity will never be forgotten.

Mom’s life was a testimony of faith, love, marriage, motherhood, family, strength, and devotion to God. She loved deeply, spoke truthfully, gave generously, and stood firmly on the foundation of her faith.

She has finished her race.

She has kept the faith.

And now, she is resting safely and peacefully in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Well done, Mom. Your love lives on through every generation.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Funeral Service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

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