John Elmer Billington, born October 8, 1930, died Thursday, February 6, 2020, after a brief illness. Born in Francis, Oklahoma, John was raised in Kingsport, Tennessee and lived in Memphis for the latter half of his life. John committed his life to Christ and was baptized on July 6, 1941, and his obedience to Christ and His teachings was evident in the way he lived. John did not waver in displaying kindness, humility, gratitude, humor, and patience with others on a daily basis. He trusted the Lord and remained content, thankful, and encouraging to others despite hardships and the many changes that life brought.
He is survived by his daughter Darla Warren (Joe) of Piperton, son David Billington (Cathy) of Allen, TX, grandchildren Marley and Jeremy Billington and Ellie and Winnie Sisk, and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Lucas Billington and Laura Rena Bickle, his sister Laurena Hoover and his wife of 50 years, Jeane Billington.
After graduating from Carson-Newman College, he earned Master’s degrees in Physical Education, Religious Education, and Counseling from Springfield College, Southwestern Seminary, and Memphis State University, respectively.
John was an ordained minister and served as the director of several Baptist Student Unions for 38 years, retiring in 1996 from the BSU at UT Memphis. He also served as director at Virginia Tech and UT Martin. In Memphis, he was a member of Second Baptist Church, most recently attended East Shelby Church of Christ, and previously attended Advent Presbyterian Church.
The family expresses special gratitude for his loving caregivers and friends at The Arbors at Schilling Gardens in Collierville where John resided for several years.
In lieu of flowers, you may honor his memory with a donation to Brinkley Heights Urban Academy, via their website bhua.org, or to The Medical Missions Fund of The Baptist Collegiate Ministry of Memphis, 757 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105 (where John was Director for 24 years).
A visitation will be held Sunday, February 9, 2020 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm with a funeral service to follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.
