Aurora, Utah - Billie Louella Sorensen Johnson, age 87, a beautiful lady, loved by all who knew her, went back to her heavenly home on February 24, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home in Aurora, due to complications from kidney failure.

Billie Lou was born on Jan 29, 1939 in Salina, Utah to Clayton W Sorensen and Wilma Matilda Hafen. She always loved recalling the details of her birth. The Salina hospital only had two maternity rooms, and they were full, so she was born at home and delivered by her Grandmother Sorensen, who was a midwife. She was welcomed by two older sisters, Charleen and Lajuana, and then 11 years later was joined by her precious baby sister, Geri Lyn. She loved all 3 of her sisters with all her heart, each one a treasure to her.

Billie Lou's father was killed in a tragic tractor rollover in 1952 when she was only 12 years old. Her dear mother raised her alone where she learned life skills with perfection.

Mom graduated from North Sevier High School in 1957 with honors. She excelled in her schoolwork and participated in all the plays, musicals, and band. During high school and for many years afterward, she was one of the “Sorensonettes” with her friends Gyann and Kay Sorenson. Their voices blended in beautiful three part harmony, but their friendship blended even deeper.

Mom started dating our dad, Jerold Johnson, in 1955, when she was a sophomore in high school. When he left on his mission to New Zealand, he asked her to wait for him. Due to visa delays, Dad came home for a few weeks and was able to take her to her Jr Prom, always a treasured memory for them both. While he was away, Mom attended BYU and was a member of the Madrigal Singers, which she loved. Three weeks after he returned from New Zealand, they were married in the Manti Temple on Dec 18, 1958. Their love was unmatched! Their devotion to each other and to their family was paramount in their lives. We always knew they loved each other and they loved us. Truly, this was one of our greatest blessings.

Mom was an amazing cook, seamstress, housekeeper, gardener, and a master musician.

Music was her life! She played piano, organ, clarinet, guitar, ukulele, and accordian. She accompanied others and sang in various groups and sang solos for weddings, funerals, and church meetings her entire life. She also taught music lessons for over 40 years. She especially loved choirs and being a part of them. She served in the church in many leadership positions in all organizations, but her callings as Stake and Ward Music Director were where her love of music was utilized to the fullest. She poured her heart and soul into her choirs.

Mom served with Dad in the Australia Perth Mission as Mission Leaders from 1983-1986. It was hard for her to leave her family for three years but went forward with faith. She was a mission "mom" to over 300 missionaries and sewed each one their own mission Christmas stocking.

Mom’s home was always filled with love. She and Dad understood the meaning of “Love at Home” so it was everyone’s favorite place to be. Our memories are all happy ones: family vacations, time spent at the ranch, the Fourth of July, deer hunt, Thanksgiving and Christmas parties were always favorites. But the annual trips to Fish Lake and the Mackinaw Cabin will always be at the top of everyone's lists. Mom started planning and preparing for those annual trips usually the day after we got home.

Her children are: Jerold Jr (Deborah), Winter Garden, FL, Jacqueline, Aurora, Gordon S (Angela), Salina, and Cami Lee (Kline), Mt. Carmel, UT.

She has 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Each grandchild was loved and made to feel like they were they were her favorite. She adored each one in a very unique way.

Dad passed away on Jan 20, 2010 leaving Mom a widow for 16 years. She endured those years bravely and with grace. The joy of their reunion makes our hearts swell. Their love story was like a fairy tale we all were blessed to witness! Thanks Mom for your example, faith, unwavering testimony, but most of all, your love. We felt it everyday and will be forever grateful.

Billie Lou is survived by her children and grandchildren, her sister, Geri Lyn (Al) Fairbanks, and a brother-in-law, Burke (Meriani) Johnson, and many dear friends, especially her lifelong friend, Judy (Peterson) Forsyth.

Billie was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Jerold, her parents, her two older sisters and their spouses, Charleen (Nordel) Dalton and Lajuana (Arno) Bastian.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, March 2, 2026 in the Aurora LDS Ward Chapel, 85 North Main Street in Aurora, Utah. Friends may call for viewing at the church building on Sunday March 1, 2026 from 6:00- 8:00 P.M. and from 10:30-11:30 A.M. on Monday, prior to services. 

Livestreaming will be available on springerturner.com under Billie's obituary 15 minutes prior to services starting.

Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.

Billie Lou loved Aurora with all of her heart. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Aurora City Fire Department, 4th of July Fireworks Display, in her name. Donations can be mailed to: Aurora City Fire Department, PO Box 460, Aurora, UT 84620 or Venmo @Aurora-Fire-1

A special thank you to Gunnison Valley Hospital home health and nurses. They were literally angels on Earth to us and our sweet mom in her last few days on this Earth.