Alice “Carol” Bradley Bilz was born June 19, 1923, in Bethpage, Tenn., to Roy Bradley and Dewey Alice (Smithson) Bradley and passed away Sept. 23, 2023, in Midlothian, Texas. Carol was a resident for 59 years in the South Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas, from 1964 until her death.

Carol Bilz

She grew up with her parents and her five siblings in Tennessee, mostly in the towns of Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. In 1943, she met the love and joy of her life, Jack J. Bilz. He was a young Air Corps pilot in training. They married Feb. 12, 1944, and lived on military air field bases until Jack was sent to active duty in Europe in August 1944. Carol lived near her mother while she boarded and worked in Nashville, Tenn., until Jack safely returned in April of 1945.

Then, they moved to Jack’s hometown, Warsaw, Indiana, and made their home there. While living and working in Warsaw, they had their first child, Connie. Later, Jack became a civilian flight instructor for the Air Force, and they moved to Dexter, Mo., where their second child, Cindy, was born. After that, they moved to another air base near Enterprise, Ala., for Jack to instruct more pilots before the family moved to Texas.

In Houston, Jack flew for Carol’s brother who had a private charter airplane business. Then, in 1964, Carol’s cousin in Dallas knew of a job opening for a private pilot of an executive airplane that was owned by the E&B Carpet Co. based in Arlington. He was hired. This move to Dallas was their last, and the young family thrived.

Above all other things in the life of Carol Bilz, she was a most dedicated and loving wife and mother. A gifted seamstress, she made many of her daughters’ clothes as they grew up. She even created and made both of their wedding dresses when that time came. In all the homes her family moved into she created a warm and welcoming environment not only for her family, but for the many friends and strangers who would visit them. She had a loving smile, a kind and quick sense of humor, a patient and forgiving heart, a focused and knowledgeable mind, a disciplined and organized lifestyle, and a generous serving spirit. “Her children rise up and call her Blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28

Carol loved to be active in service and volunteering. She found fulfillment in volunteering at Methodist Dallas Hospital and completed over 15,000 hours of service there. She was also active for many years with the MDH Auxiliary and served as its president for a term. As a longtime member of Tyler Street Methodist Church, she chaperoned youth choir tours, sang in the Sanctuary Choir and served in every office available in her Sunday school class and Woman’s Society of Christian Service, including president.

She was a Girl Scout throughout her young life and became a Girl Scout leader as her daughters were growing up. Her daughters have a special memory of the one year that she was the district cookie coordinator and the whole end of their living/dining room was piled to the ceiling with Girl Scout cookie boxes to be distributed to the local troops.

Carol is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Don Jordan, and Cindy and David Felts; grandchildren, Erin Felts Hodge and husband Jim, Alan Felts and wife Amberlyn, and Christi Jordan; great-grandchildren, Ty Hager, twins Kaydin and Keirra Hager, Jackson Felts and Hazel Felts.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Jack; her parents; all her siblings and first cousins; as well as many dear and lifelong friends.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Procession to Oakwood Cemetery for a graveside service will immediately follow.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the website at www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.