James Sykes Billups

Brig. Gen. James Sykes Billups, Jr. U.S. Army Ret. of San Antonio, born on July 21, 1918 in Columbus, Mississippi died at the age of 84 on Saturday, September 21, 2002 at home. He was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - Class of 1939. He was one of a select few military officers appointed by General Dwight Eisenhower, then President of Columbia University, to complete the Masters Program in International Affairs. During his many years in the military he received the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal With Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-American-Middle Eastern Campaign 5 Bronze Stars, Croix de Guerre France, Croix de Guerre Luxembourg, WW II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal Germany, National Defense Service Medal, Department of Defense Identification Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Office of the The Secretary of Defense Identification Badge and the Order of Ulchi Korea In 1991, he was honored in Chartres, France for having been instrumental in saving the Cathedral from destruction during WWII. Some of the different organizations that he was involved with was the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Metropolitan Club New York, The Argyle Club San Antonio Doubles New York Spouting Rock Newport, Rolling Rock Ligonier, PA, Club Giraud San Antonio, San Antonio Country Club San Antonio, Joshua Creek Club San Antonio, Confrerie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin San Antonio, and the Order of the Alamo San Antonio. Survivors include his wife, Frances; one son James S. III and wife, Nancy, of San Antonio; four daughters, LeAnn Billups, Austin, Liza Lewis and husband, Jack, III, of San Antonio; Francesca Mannix and husband, John , of San Antonio, Marcella Symington and husband, Fife, Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren, Fannie, Sallie and A.J. Lewis of San Antonio, Mariah and Alessandra Cotten, of Austin, Bailey and Audrey Billups of San Antonio, Marguerite, Felicia and John Luke Mannix, of San Antonio, Annabel Vesta Symington of Scottsdale AZ. The family wishes to acknowledge with deepest gratitude the generous loving care given by: Luis A. Placencia, Maria Netardus, Pedro Garcia, Linda Davis, Brenda Jaye, Chad Sweigarg, Darlene Busby, Ron Smith, Dr. Harold Grant and Dr. Chris Kopecky.

The Rev. Dr. Louis Zbinden officiating. Honorary Pallbearers: Jack Lewis, Jr., Cliff Cassidy, Fife Symington, Gerry Jones, Lamoine Holland, Frank Dixon, Charlie Powers, Bill Woestendick, Chuck Wallace, Jack Leon, Tom Hardy, Carlton Billups, Jay Jacks, and Luis A. Placencia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the: National World War II Memorial, American Battle Monuments Commission, P.O. Box 96766, Washington, DC 20090-6766 or to The National Museum of the Pacific War, Nimitz Museum, P. O. Box 777, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or charity of your choice.