George H. BILLUPS Jr.

WILLIAMSBURG - George H. Billups Jr., the son of the late Edna and George H. Billups Sr., entered into eternal rest on May 22, 2010, in his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Yorktown, Va., he accepted Christ early in his life and joined Shiloh Baptist Church, Yorktown, Va.
In 1954, he received his high school diploma from James Weldon Johnson High School. He continued his education at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va., earning a BS degree in Industrial Vocational Education and Science. He also earned a Master's Degree and Post Master's professional credits from The State University of New York at New Paltz, New York. Although born in Yorktown, he spent most of his professional life in upstate New York, in the Catskill Mountains and in Woodbourne, N.Y., working in the field of Education and Civic Leadership. He held a permanent New York certification as Chief School Administrator and was employed as Principal of Beacon High School.
Prior to his employment as a Principal, he was a Junior High School Teacher in Newburg, N.Y., an Education Supervisor at the Woodbourne Narcotics Rehabilitation Center, a Youth Program Director of the Columbia Branch YMCA in Philadelphia, and a Mathematics and Industrial Arts teacher in Culpeper, Va. During his career, he received many honors and was recognized as an Outstanding Young Man of America, Community Leader of America and Outstanding Individual in Human Service.
Although committed to education, he, an Army veteran, found time to become active in the community. He worked with the New York State Human Rights Advisory Council, the Hudson Valley Economic Development and Regional Council. He served for nine years as President of the Sullivan County Branch of the NAACP, a General Hospital Trustee, a Charter member of Head Start-Day Care Policy Council and The Mid Hudson Valley Legal Services Board. His leadership was recognized both locally and nationally.
After retiring and moving home, he continued to be actively involved in helping in the community. He was a Charter member of the James City County Lions Club, a member of New Zion Baptist Church, The Tuesday Morning Breakfast Bible Study Group, a Life member of the NAACP, Member of the James City County Planning Commission, The Friday Morning Bill Warwick Prayer Group and a member of the Alumni Chapter of Virginia State University.
Among his civic and fraternal memberships were the Beacon Lions Club, a member of Bethany Lodge # 101, and a 32nd Degree Mason of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Pride of Sullivan Lodge #1612, the Majestic Men's Club, and the New York State School Administrators' Association. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but he leaves with a wonderful legacy of wisdom and love.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant brothers and two of his dearest friends, James "Tippy" Dennis and Ralph Marshall.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 52 years, Mary Marshall Billups; their three children, Myron Billups (Carol), Gwendolyn Newton (Steve) and Pamela Daniels; his four grandchildren, Cory and Sean Daniels, Aaron and Jacob Billups; his beloved sister, Gladys Billups Goslee (Charles); his sisters-in-law, Dorothy M. Fox and Beulah Marshall; his devoted nieces, Vonda G. Green (Aaron) and Julie G. Owens (Darrell); his great-nieces and great-nephews; a host of cousins and many friends.
A funeral, celebrating the life he lived, will be held 1 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2010, in Shiloh Baptist Church, 105 Goosley Road, Yorktown, with the Rev. Barbara Lemon and Dr. Robert Whitehead officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Masonic Burial Grounds. Family and friends will assemble at 104 Morgan Drive by 11:30 a.m. Friday. Mr. Billups may be viewed in New Zion Baptist Church, 3991 Longhill Road, Williamsburg from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Professional service entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail Williamsburg, Va., 757-229-3011. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.