Billie Jean (Tipton) Amicone, age 94, of Shelby, died early Friday morning, July 31, 2026 at the Arbors at Mifflin following a brief illness.
Billie was born on August 20, 1931 in Johnson City, Tennessee, she was the youngest of six daughters born to the late Aught and Vista (Webb) Tipton. A 1950 graduate of Jonesborough High School in Jonesborough, TN, Billie joined the United States Women’s Air Force (WAF) in 1951 where she served as a typist. During her military service, she met her husband, Leonard Amicone, and they married on May 3, 1952. Together they embraced military life while starting their family. Their six children were each born in a different state or overseas and, after living in various places, the family settled in Ohio.
For many years Billie worked at Cornell’s Laundromat in Shelby where she was well recognized standing in the front window ironing clothes. She looked forward to seeing her customers, knowing precisely how to care for them and their garments. Billie always loved shopping, especially at JCPenney’s, and more recently found great joy in buying things for her great grandchildren. A very social person, Billie never knew a stranger and enjoyed getting to know people. For hobbies, she had loved bowling, watching westerns, and working on puzzles. An avid Cleveland Indians fan, she always looked forward to catching the games on TV.
Billie is survived by her sons: John (Laurie) Amicone of Shelby, Timothy (Michelle) Amicone of Delaware, Ohio, and Mark (Lori) Amicone of Shelby; grandchildren: Katie Amicone (Brian Hall), Jonathan (Kandis) Amicone, Anthony (Jen) Amicone, James (Lauren) Amicone, Matthew (Ashleigh) Amicone, Terra (Pete) Martire, and Erica (Chuck) McGlynn; and great grandchildren: Pippa, Major, Camp, Navona, Knowlton, Rialto, Persephone, Luca, Natalie, Hazel, and Ellis; and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Billie was preceded death by her children: David Amicone, Beth Amicone, and Leonard Amicone; and her sisters: Maxine Gross, Fleeta Merritt, Thelma Hannabas, Alyne Byrd, and Betty Dykes.
The Amicone family wishes to thank those who provided wonderful care to Billie at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, Arbors at Mifflin, and Southern Care Hospice. Special thanks to Laura Britt, NP at the VA in Mansfield for her loving care of Billie over the years and to Billie’s neighbor and friend, Janice Ferrell, for being so kind and helpful.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 5-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 11 am. Pastor Michael Padula will officiate the services. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (WoundedWarriorProject.org/Donate).
Condolences may be made on Billie’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).