Charles Walter Billings (CB), age 85, of Liberty Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on July 11th from an aggressive form of kidney cancer. He was born on October 10,1940 in Hope, Arkansas.
Up until his illness he walked 3 miles a day, cared for his grandchildren, Landon and Everly and played golf as often as he could with his brother, Rodney and nephews, Wyatt and William. He loved to garden and work in the yard, attend his grandchildren’s sports and school activities, cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks, and spend time at their cabin in Iowa.
Charles joined the Air Force after graduation as an operating room technician earning his certification and degree in Operating Room Technology. Over his career in the Air Force, he rose to the highest rank of Chief Master Sergeant leading and mentoring hundreds of young airmen. He was stationed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, England, Spain, Arizona and Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX where he retired after 30 years of service.
After entering civilian life he worked as a Registered First Assistant and Certified Autotransfusionist. At the age of 59 he went on to earn his Registered Nurses license and worked another 15 years in the Operating Room. Retiring again once his grandson, Landon was born and becoming his full-time day care “Pop-Pop” and 4 years later when Everly was born. He claimed being their Pop-Pop was the best job he ever had. His son, Mike stated that his father set the standard for what a husband, father and grandfather should be. Charles was that person that everyone liked the minute they met him.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Clifton and Winnie Bell; siblings, Jo Ann Billings, David Billings, Jimmy Livingston, Sue Burke, Juanita Gunter; grandsons, Charles Kenneth Park Billings and Dallas Ray Charles Billings; and niece, Logan Kay Nunez.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Karin Elizabeth Billings (Harmer); brother, John Rodney Billings (Robin) and Nancy Jo Head Larry); Sister in laws, Paula Billings, Kathy Harmer Collins, Laura Harmer Nunez (Michael) and Brother in law, Timothy Harmer (Brenda Neubauer Harmer); Sharon Goldman, former wife, good friend and mother to Mike and Debbie; son, Charles Michael Billings (Pamela Rogers); daughters, Deborah Ann Thomas (Jim) and Tara Manisha Otterson (Cody); grandchildren, Mallory Helloms (Ray), Trevor Huffman, Shane Huffman, Harlie Martinez (Bryan), Colt Sutton, Kaci Billings, Ryan Rogers, Landon Otterson and Everly Otterson); great-grandson, Brady Helloms; and also many nephews and nieces that he enjoyed spending time and making memories with.
A private burial will take place in Iowa at a future date.
