John Mitchell Billingsley

John M. Billingsley, a native Houstonian, was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He went to be with the Lord on Sunday, the 7th of November 2021 in Houston. He was 72 years of age.

He was born the 20th of September 1949, in Houston to loving parents, Albert and LeVell Billingsley. As a graduate of Lamar High School, John went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from St. Thomas University. He began his career at Prudential and Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor and later moved to Dean Winter. John eventually retired from Morgan Stanley as Senior Vice President Financial Advisor Senior Consultant, ICS. He was very successful in his career, serving as a mediator for the Security and Exchange Commission, a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association as well as being a part of the prestigious Director’s Club and Insights at Morgan Stanley.

John married the love of his life, Marialice Winters on the 14th of January 1978, in Houston and were blessed by three beautiful children, John, Alice and Louise. John loved his family dearly and spent every second he could with them. His children recall him never missing a football game, a dance recital, or Boy Scout event his children participated in. He even volunteered his time helping with his children’s favorite activities. He passed his love of the great outdoors on to his family. Many summers were spent in Colorado fly-fishing, hiking, riding horses and river rafting.

John served as a Board Member at Holly Hall for more than a decade, a board member of Camp Gilmont, a fundraiser for Mo-Ranch, and was a member of the Campus Advisory Team at Stratford High School.

John’s faith was a crucial element of his life, serving as a church elder, on Session, and evangelist chairman for New Covenant Presbytery. He was raised attending First Presbyterian Church of Houston before attending Grace Presbyterian for more than 27 years.

After retiring from Morgan Stanley, John spent his twilight years with his beloved Marialice remodeling their family home on the Guadalupe River in Ingram, Texas. He spent much of his time turning the beautiful Ingram property into a wonderland for his children and grandchildren. John held a special bond with his grandchildren, and they loved their “granddaddy.” They always looked forward to riding a “choo-choo” with him or on his lap while taking a spin on the “mow mow.” As a member of Kerrville’s River Hill Country Club, another pastime of John’s was hitting the gorgeous hill country golf course with his friends, his son, and son-in-law's. In his final years, John was able to take several overseas trips with the love of his life, Marialice, creating lasting and precious memories. For everyone who ever crossed paths with John Billingsley, thought he was, one of the kindest, most cheerful, and encouraging human beings they’d ever met. John loved his family and friends with all his heart.

John Billingsley is preceded in death by his mother, LeVell Billingsley.

He is survived by his wife, Marialice Winters Billingsley; son, John M. Billingsley III, and his wife, Alejandra Billingsley, of Laredo; daughters, Alice Billingsley Claiborne and her husband Casey Dale Claiborne, of Leander, Texas, Margaret Louise Mohle and her husband Theodore Westerfield Mohle IV, of Houston; father, Albert Mitchell Billingsley of Ovilla, Texas; sister, Emily LeVell Greenhaw and her husband, William Karl Greenhaw, of Fayetteville, Arkansas. John is also survived by four adoring grandchildren, Wes, Mary Elizabeth, Emma, and Carson; and numerous other beloved family members.

A celebration of John’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 20th of November, in the Founders Chapel of Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lane in Houston, where The Rev. Dr. Jack Haberer is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Welcome Center.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.