Emma Susan Billard

Emma Susan Billard, 86, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at Carmel Health and Living in Carmel, Indiana. Emma was known to many as Susan, Aunt Susie, Grandma Susie, or G-G, she was a loving mother, grandmother, and Great-Grandmother.

Born on July 16, 1939, in Indianapolis to Pearline Vaughn, she lost her hearing at age three due to German measles and entered foster care with her two younger sisters. While her sisters were adopted, Emma was not. She spent her school years at the Indiana School for the Deaf and summers on a farm with her favorite foster mother, May Katherine Shots. She graduated with the Class of 1959. She participated in cheerleading and Basketball and was a member of the class reunion committee. She was also the V.P. of the Madison County Deaf Club in Ingalls, Indiana and once a member of the Dallas National Bass Anglers of the Deaf in Dallas, Texas. Emma’s hobbies include bowling, fishing, camping, crocheting, and playing cards, especially Michigan Rummy. Her favorite sports teams were the Indiana Pacers and The Indianapolis Colts.

Emma married her first husband, William T. Louden, in 1962, and they had three children: Michael, Robert, and Katherine. She later moved to Texas and married William Billard on February 14, 1988. Emma devoted her life to her family and took great pride in her role as a homemaker, and daycare provider. Throughout her life she searched for her birth family, ultimately reconnecting with her younger sister Betty Jean and later her mother, Pearline Roberts—She was excited to find that she has 3 more siblings, Georgia, Josie & Johnnie, she also learned the name of her Father, Nicholus Otlean.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Billard; parents, Pearline Roberts & Nicholas Otlean; her sisters, Georgia Porter and Josie Wilson; granddaughter, Nicole Faith Louden.

Survived by;

Her 3 children: Michael Louden (Pam) of Indianapolis, Robert Louden (Lynn) of Fortville, and Kathy Fisher (Lowell) of Fortville.

9 grandchildren, Chad Hiner (Laura), Jason Hiner (Liz), Joshua Hougland, Jared Hiner (Ashley), Courtney Hiner, Samantha Camp (Jacob), Amanda Louden, Tyler Louden (Annie), Austin Fisher (Jamie).

24 great grandchildren, Kamdyn(24), Luke(21), Bryce(21), Dominic(19), Annelise(19), Hunter(19), Sophia(18), Catherine(17), Ashton(16), Andrew(16), Remington(15), Ava(14), Emalyn(14), Liam(12), Lexi(11) Aurora(10), Arlo(5), Zachary(5), Orin(3), Oliver (3), Lincoln (20-mo.), Isla (7-mo),Theodore (2-mo).

Her sister, Betty Hensley (Paul) & her Brother, John W. Roberts (Peggy).

Services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. with visitation from 4:00–6:00 p.m. followed by the memorial service

at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 10701 E. 56th St., Indianapolis, IN 46235.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to kammyskause.org

Her ashes will be interned at Washington Park Cemetery East in Indianapolis at a private family ceremony at a later date.