Obituary

Howard Nealy Billingsley, 93, of Plainview, Texas, died July 29, 2009. Services will be at 2 p.m. July 30 at College Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Barry Whedbee officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Kornerstone Funeral Directors. Mr. Billingsley was born Feb. 16, 1916, in Quanah, Texas, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Billingsley. His family moved in 1925 to Plainview where he was a resident for the next 83 years. He married Dixie "Doris" Callahan on June 22, 1940, in Plainview. They were married for 50 years until her death on June 7, 1991. During World War II, Billingsley served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany and France. Upon his Army discharge, he returned to Plainview to be reunited with his family. He was employed by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company where he advanced to manager of the local bottling plant for his last 24 years of employment. He retired from Coca-Cola in 1981 after 43 years of service. Billingsley is survived by two daughters, Janiece Leland and husband, Joseph, of Amarillo and Sharon McGinnis and husband, Carrol, of Houston. He was also blessed with four grandchildren, James Leland and wife, Danette, of Arlington, Mark Leland of Clear Lake, Holly McGinnis of Houston and Cristy Mobley and husband, Jeff, of Oklahoma City; four great-grandchildren, Jake and Curt Leland of Arlington and Mackenzie and Madison Mobley of Oklahoma City. Billingsley attended College Heights Baptist Church where he was a member for 79 years. He was among the first members to be baptized there in 1930. He served his church in various capacities over those many years. The family feels blessed to have had such a loving, Christian father and grandparent. The family greatly appreciates the close companionship Ruth Renegar has provided Howard. Also, his wonderful and gifted caregivers have been a special blessing, and the family is most thankful for the loving care provided by Terry Whedbee, Mattie Alexander and Helen Henckel. Memorial donations honoring Billingsley can be made to College Heights Baptist Church, 802 Quincy, Plainview, TX 79072.