William Thomas Billings, Jr, 81, of Roswell, GA passed away on December 25, 2020 after a valiant and lengthy battle against many ailments. He never complained, nor said a harsh word. Bill loved his family, was an accomplished businessman, and an avid baseball fan. With faith in God and wife by his side, he remained at home, surrounded by family in prayer and celebration of Christmas Day.
Bill was born to William Thomas, Sr. and Rose (Krenn) on August 18, 1939 in Stonelake, Wisconsin. His parents taught him a strong work ethic and self-reliance while growing up on a dairy farm in East Troy, Wisconsin. Upon graduation from Marquette University in 1961, he started a career in the insurance industry at Lansing B. Warner in Chicago. While working there as a Jr. Agent, he met, fell in love, and soon after married Jacqueline Alley. This he proclaimed as his proudest moment along with the birth of their three children.
While raising a family with Jackie, Bill took a job at Baumann & Ozzie Insurance Agency in Skokie, Illinois. Eventually, he purchased it from the previous owners and presided over a long period of growth with Jackie by his side as the bookkeeper. He taught his own children how to be self-reliant and gave them a work ethic by employing them in jobs at the firm that were suitable to their ages as they grew up. He was especially proud of being President of the American Sub-Contractors Association and of his election to the National Board of Directors, his election to the Library Board and Park District in Rolling Meadows, IL, and being named Unit Director for Disaster Relief for the Noonday Baptist Association unit 6F in Marietta, GA.
The semi-retirement phase of Bill’s life was just as remarkable. He started a new venture buying, improving and then selling homes in Cobb County, Georgia. By moving South, he was able to be closer to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He continued to model a family-first life of self-reliance and volunteerism through the many roles Bill served in during his retirement. Staring with his baptism at Noonday Baptist Church, Bill looked for every opportunity to serve his Lord through his actions and help others. Bill took over the concessions program at Noonday Baptist and volunteered weekly cooking in the kitchen. He used the opportunity to serve others, involve his children and grandchildren, and teach them customer service skills as well as sharing his love for all things baseball.
Bill was a loyal husband, father and friend. His group of college friends continues to meet every Memorial Day Weekend since their freshman year at Marquette, and Bill and Jackie last celebrated in Chicago with the group in 2019.
Once he retired from playing baseball, he coached his son’s football team and his daughter’s softball team. When they grew and went off to college, Bill was then able to coach the Trinity College baseball team in Bannockburn, IL for three years until relocating to Marietta, GA to be closer to his family where he was also closer to his favorite baseball team. Bill grew up watching the Milwaukee Braves in Wisconsin, and was now able to watch them again as the Atlanta Braves. Bill took every opportunity to attend the many sporting events and other events his children, and eventually his grandchildren participated in, where he was a spectator, cheerleader, coach and critic when he needed to be. He was able to travel with his three granddaughters’ softball teams and eventually watched his youngest granddaughter commit to play college softball with Georgia State University.
Jackie was a faithful and loving partner through all of his health problems. He is survived by his 3 children: Sherri Billings (Bernard Witte), Thomas William Billings, and Cynthia Deady (David). Grandchildren: Amy Bush, Billy Witte (Alaina), Sean Witte, Susan Witte, Tyler Deady (Kathryn), Jamie, Katherine, Mary, and Carolyn Deady. Great grandchildren: Liam Bush, Henry, Archie and Jude Witte.
You will never be forgotten; we pledge to you a hallowed place within our hearts where you will always stay.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project.
DONATIONS
Wounded Warrior Project4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18