Jillian Wendy Bushong

Jillian Wendy Bushong (nee Coates) born in Oxford, England, February 27th, 1943, joined her beloved parents and 13 siblings in heaven, on February 28, 2024. She loved music, dancing and making people laugh. She fiercely loved her five children and seven grandchildren.

Jillian married her husband, Donald Alfred Bushong, an Airman 1st Class in the U.S. Air Force, on October 24, 1964, in Oxford, England.

During her husband's career, the family lived in England, Utah, Montana, Texas, Idaho, Florida, and eventually retired in Wyoming. She made Wyoming her home for 35 years. After being a homemaker for most of her children's lives, she returned to the workforce, cleaning houses and offices, and eventually worked for Burger King in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Many of her customers became her friends. They loved her for her smile, respect and personality, as well as her pride in making the restaurant clean and welcoming.

She was good at saving money, and, eventually, after their divorce, Jill offered to buy the house. Donald was very happy to sell it to her so he could move back to his hometown of Galveston, Texas. She loved her house, and proudly made many improvements over the years.

After 35 years of living in Cheyenne, which had become her comforting home, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to be near her daughter, Michele. Jill made lifelong friends, including Jackey, Leslie, Helga (from the English Wives club), Josie, and Cathy Koonce, her friend and coworker.

Jill was in hospice care in her daughter's home for a little more than a year. She died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on February 28, 2024, one day after turning 81. The nurses and staff adored her charm, wittiness, and smile. They always told her what an easy patient she was. She was a bright light in everyone's lives.

Jill is survived by her daughter, Michele (Walter) Lillyman; sons, Patrick, David (Lendi), Glenn and Jason; grandchildren, Lia (Glotfelty) Lanham, Gemini Mathew, J.J Stevens, Tyler McCord, Timothy McCord, Andrew McCord and Riley Weed.
She was proceeded by her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Element Church.