He was raised in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; growing up as the 3rd oldest out of 9 siblings. He had two older step-brothers, Dan and H.J, then came his brother Eddie who was a year younger than he was; 4 sisters Velma, Rosie, Helen, Lillian and 2 brothers, Keith and Gene.
During his early life, he joined the Army Reserves from 1958 - 1965. He achieved the rank of PFC. Leon married Wanda Ruth King Billings on August 31, 1973 in the Aldine Church of Christ in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Mercedes High and received his Master’s in Life and Earth Science from Pan American University, University of Houston and the University of Arizona. Leon taught for a total of 42 years to the 2nd and 3rd graders at the Weslaco I.S.D school district and 7th and 8th graders in the Alvin I.S.D school district. He retired from the Alvin I.S.D school district in May 2001.
Leon was a part of the Manvel Church of Christ until he got sick in 2012. During that time he lead singing in the church choir, he taught Bible study, and he preached on occasion, he even became President/Trustee on the board for the Manvel Church of Christ. Throughout his life he was a part of many different organizations and committees. Leon was an life time member of the Texas Teacher Association, and a member of the Alvin Teacher Association. He also served as a volunteer on Election Day for the Republican Party for several years.
To all that knew him, knew he was a logical, detailed oriented person. He wasn't interested in sports. He stayed active in the Church. He loved gardening and oil painting in his spare time. He also took on an interest in collecting stamps and even frogs. A fun fact about Leon; as a child, in his spare time he liked playing with jewelry and later started working in a jewelry store where he had a hand in creating unique pieces of jewelry.
Leon is survived by his wife, Wanda Ruth King Billings; brother, H.J Billings (Mildred (Deceased)); brother, Eddie Billings; sister, Velma Billings Dirks (Al (Bud)); sister, Rosie Billings Welber (Earl); sister, Helen Lombard (Sandi Sharpio); sister, Lillian Billings Morava; brother, Keith Billings (Wayne Hill) and brother Gene Billings (Tonya). He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Carroll and mother Olivia Dominquez Billings; brother, Dan Billings (Vivian).
A visitation will be held at 12:30pm to 1:30pm with a Graveside service to follow at 2:00pm on April 14, 2020 at Brookside Funeral Home and Memorial Park.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brooksidefuneralhomelauder.com for the Billings family.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to Alzheimer's Association Houston at https://www.alz.org/texas and to the Parkinson's Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org/texas.
