Memorial service for Ron Billings age 66 of Valentine will be held on Monday, June 20 at 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Valentine. Graveside service will follow at 2:30 PM at Mount Hope Cemetery in Springview.

Ronnie Roy Billings was born to Cecil and Marilyn Billings on October 29, 1949 in Ainsworth, Nebraska. He passed away June 4, 2016 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lincoln. Ron attended grade school and high school in Springview, Ne.

Ron's passion for fishing started at a very young age while fishing with his Dad off the banks of the Niobrara River. He had many fond memories of the rural mail route with his Dad, picnics, swimming at the river, riding horses, and building roads under the trees in the back yard. As a child he loved to read and was very fond of an erector and chemistry set which started his journey to be an educator. He lost his Father at the age of 7 so his mother and younger brothers Mark and David spent time back and forth to Casper, Wyoming while Marilyn was getting a degree in cosmetology. After that Marilyn opened up a beauty shop in her home and continued the rural mail route. Then a blessing came into their lives a few years later by the name of Vance Baker. Vance soon became a part of their family and to this union another brother Blaine was born.


Ron and Sandy started dating in high school after she drew his attention by soaping the windows of his 1963 black and white two door-hard top Chevy Impala. They were married on January 30, 1971 and have one son, Coby Billings. Ron received his bachelor and master degrees from the University of Ne. Lincoln and administrative degree from Chadron State College. He taught science, coached, drove a school bus and was a Boy Scout leader in Syracuse, Nebraska for 8 years before moving home to Valentine. His career in Valentine was at the middle school for 28 years, where he taught science, was instrumental in getting the science tech lab implemented, coached football and wrestling and the last 10 years was the principal. He always said, "You have to be a little crazy to teach that age group but I fit right in". He served on the Nebraska Association Teachers of Science and also the Nebraska Educators Technology Association. He always had a genuine interest in his students and their wellbeing. Ron was an outdoorsmen and loved to hunt but especially fish. He spent many hours fishing on the ice or in a boat with family and friends making great memories. One of his final fishing memories was taking Sandy, Caden, and Clay to Alaska. He loved dogs and Sadie his retirement dog was very special to him. After retirement he was involved with the local mentoring program, was a substitute teacher and supervised student teachers through the University of Kearney and Chadron State College until his health declined. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, a Logos table parent, a Badger Booster, and a Volunteer Fireman for 35 years. He has always enjoyed his family and friends (especially his fishing buddies). He was so proud of Coby, Kimberly, Caden, Clay, Courtney and what they had accomplished.

Ron was preceded in death by his father Cecil and his infant brother. Survivors include his wife Sandy, son Coby, daughter-in-law Kimberly, grandchildren Caden, Clay, and Courtney Billings, mother Marilyn Baker, stepfather Vance Baker, brothers Mark (Karen) Billings, Brittany Billings (Kennedy, Willie, Abbott, Charlie Ankerson), Devin (Jordan) Dani, Colton, and Ella Billings, David (Donna) Tyson and Beau Billings, Blaine (Stacey) Carly, Gabby, Jackson Baker mother-in-law Donna Fae Van Metre, brother and sister in laws Karolyn(Jim)Stovall, David(Jolene)Van Metre, Terri(Randy)Hill. Chad(Tanya)Billings, Tyler(Valerie, Alese)Van Metre, Andrew and Erik Grexa aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.