Raymond Billingsley

Raymond Billingsley, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at his home. Visitation will be held from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 12, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Earl Swigart officiating. Interment will be in the Hillsboro Cemetery with full military rites provided by the Henry County Honor Guard, Dean King, commander. Memorials have been established to the Calvary Baptist Church or to the Hospice of Central Iowa. Born March 22, 1928, in Hillsboro, IA, Raymond Glenn was the son of Howard and Zeffa (Nichols) Billingsley. He was born and raised in the Hillsboro area and received his education at the Hillsboro School. Mr. Billingsley enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea and Japan during the Korean Conflict. On December 13, 1952, Raymond married Velma Hummell in Mt. Pleasant. The couple moved to their farm in 1963 and have lived there ever since. Raymond was a lifelong farmer and carpenter, while also working for the City of Mt. Pleasant for several years. He was later employed by the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Raymond loved to spend time with his children. Together they enjoyed mushroom hunting, coon hunting and cutting wood to heat the family home. He is survived by his wife, Velma Billingsley of Mt. Pleasant, IA; three daughters, Deanna (Marty) Wellman of Wever, IA, Julie (Dave) Schneider of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Johanna (Dean) Vantiger of Yarmouth, IA; one son, Darren (Bibiana) of St. Michael, AK. Also surviving is one brother, Kenneth (Nancy) Billingsley of Fairfield, IA; ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and five brothers.