Billy Edward Billingsley

Billy Edward Billingsley MSgt, USAF (Ret), age 87, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2024, at his home in Arlington, Va. Born in Buffalo Valley, Tenn., on December 18, 1936, he was the son of John Andrew and Emmalene Billingsley.

Bill joined the Air Force following high school. He attended basic training at Lackland, AFB Texas. After completion of basic training, he had a variety of assignments during his career including F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Ind., Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, MacDill AFB, Fla., The Republic of South Korea, Andrews AFB, Md., and the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. In 1968 he did a tour of duty in The Republic of Vietnam where he was assigned to the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV). While in the Pentagon he served in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

He received numerous medals and awards during his career to include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge and Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

He was an avid reader, confidently did crossword puzzles in ink, and loved growing vegetables in his garden and sharing his crop with friends and neighbors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and cooking where he would add special touches to make people happy. His fried pork tenderloin and potato salad are family favorites.

Bill is survived by his loving family – wife Jean of 63 years; sons Mike (Mary Lou) of Pendleton, S.C. and Kevin (Mary) of Alexandria, Va.; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren and his sister Linda. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Joe, Scott and Hal.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Old Post Chapel at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va., followed by a graveside service at 3:30 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. Reception to follow at Patton Hall Community Center Club and Conference Center at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bill’s name to the charity of your choice.