Honorary Director
 

From her childhood and throughout her adult life, Boyce Billingsley has not only experienced and appreciated the spirit of the rivers that flow from Missouri into north central Arkansas, but she has also shared with others her special love for the Spring River, its South Fork tributary, and for Old Kia Kima.

While living in West Memphis, Arkansas, Boyce and her sister, Ann, first learned of the Spring River during their summer vacations while visiting with her uncle, Claude Cooper, M.D., a physician who lived and practiced for many years in and around Thayer, Missouri. Unknown to any of us then, those summer vacation experiences would eventually take her downstream on the Spring River. At the confluence of the South Fork and the Spring Rivers, Boyce would then travel upstream on the South Fork toward Otter Creek, passing en route the waterfronts of Camp Miramichee, Kamp Kiwani, and Old Kamp Kia Kima.

OKKPA acknowledges her voyage as an important benchmark in her life, recognizing that many have shared the same wonders of that journey. The entire area continues to work its magic on one and all, for the simple reason that A River Runs Through It. Today that spirit continues as a memorable part of Boyce Billingsley’s life. Undiminished. Everlasting.

Having discovered the spirit of the Spring River and the South Fork, Boyce’s stepfather, Mr. John Cooper acquired three houses near Otter Creek, a short distance upstream from Old Kamp Kia Kima. It was in the Otter Creek area that Mr. Cooper would build a family summer compound. There he would envision the creation of Cherokee Village. Motivated by the polio epidemic in the 1940s and 50s, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper arranged to spend their family summer months near Otter Creek, away from the mosquitoes along the Mississippi River. The family included Boyce, Ann Basore, John Cooper, Jr., and Rebecca Cooper Whelan.

While at their summer residence, Boyce often chaperoned her siblings, John Cooper, Jr. and Rebecca Cooper Whelan on outings to Rio Vista, joining in the fun at Y Falls and the Rio Vista Pavilion. The merging of the South Fork with the Spring River at Y Falls remains today, as it did then, a very special place on the river where old friendships are renewed and new friendships created.

Boyce became a Miramichee camper in 1943. She later attended the University of Arkansas where she met George Billingsley (1929-2002). Fondly known as “Uncle Dudley” by Old Kia Kima campers and staff members from the past, “Uncle Dudley” remains an esteemed icon of Old Kia Kima. Somewhat in doubt as to how Boyce would spend the summer between her college years, George suggested that she apply for a staff position with the YWCA Camp Miramichee. She did, and was readily accepted by “Miss Julia” Hope Hall, an OKKPA Honorary Director. Boyce’s service as a Miramichee staff member further illustrates her South Fork River heritage.

As time passed, Boyce and George were married in 1959, further strengthening the ties that bound them inextricably to the spirit of the South Fork and Old Kia Kima. In September 1998, Boyce and George acquired and donated to OKKPA the land and buildings that had once been Old Kamp Kia Kima. Her lasting encouragement, as well as her appreciation of the OKKPA vision and mission have made it possible to attain OKKPA’s restoration goal.


To be part of Old Kia Kima is to experience a special undying spirit. A Time & Place have today been recast in the mold that was never discarded, but only destined to be rediscovered. Amazingly, it was never tarnished by time, for that is not possible. Today, it gleams again in response to its call to serve. Boyce Billingsley has helped immeasurably to make the transition from dream to reality. She is a shining example of service and commitment to The Youth of Today and Tomorrow.

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