He will be remembered for his smile, big heart and easy going manner. Don never met a stranger but always a friend. Don was born November 26, 1931 in Lake Station, Oklahoma to Katherine Viola and James Branson Billingsly. He grew up in Oklahoma with seven brothers: Clifton, Arlie, Ray, Claude, Jerry and Larry and three sisters: Rubye, Wilma and Linda. He joined the Army in 1952 as Sergeant First Class and served in the Korean War until 1954.

After serving in the Army he was honorably discharged and remained in California, where he owned his own ceramic tile business in Ventura County for many years. After retirement he spent his time on the golf course with his friends, fishing and the loves of his life, his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Valerie Billingsly, daughters: Susan and Randy McKiddy of Hot Springs, Arkansas, LeDawn and Randy Malchar of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Denise and David Hume of Ventura, California. Sons: Vincent and Debbie McMahon of Ventura, CA and Gary and Julie Billingsly of Ventura, California. Step-daughter: Cris Powers and Bart Loy, Grandchildren: Bradley Jacobs of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Amy and Kelly Guffey of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Josh and Veronica Lake of Ventura, California, Vincent McMahon of Ventura, California, Dillon Hume of Ventura, California, Katie Hume of Ventura, California, Spencer Billingsly of Ventura, California, Allen and Tonya McKiddy of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Great-Grandchildren: Spencer and Eli Jacobs of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Shyanne, Logan and Jacee McKiddy of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Landon Lake of Ventura, California.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.TedMayrFuneralHome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star from Jan. 11 to Jan. 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Billingsly

32 Entries

Linda Billingsly House

February 7, 2011

Dear Val, Susan, LeDawn,Denise, Vince, and Gary. Bill and I want to send our heartfelt condolance to all of you. I can't believe it's been a month today since we lost him. Bill went on line the first day the guest book was open for me to sign it, but I was to shook to up I couldn't do it, it is still very hard for me to accept that he is gone. I miss him terribly, he always had a joke to tell me when we talked by phone. We had planned to meet soon (after he returned home from seeing his girls in Oklahoma, and Arkansas)in Hollywood and go to PINK'S a coney place where all Hollywood stars go. I was so excited thinking I would get to see him. Growing up our family was very close. Brother was always upbeat, fun loving, and you never knew he had a care in the world. He was always looked up to by the rest of the family. Oh how hard it was when they drafted him in the Army and sent him to the front lines in Korea. Our beloved Mother cried so much while he was gone. Brother you have left a BIG void in a lot of peoples hearts. You are LOVED DEARLY.

Love Sis,
Linda and Bill (Willie)

January 16, 2011

Val and all Billingsly family,

I've known both of you for so long. Papa Don and my dad spent so much time together on their golf trips and just hanging out as friends. Hopefully they've met up and are still doing that. No aches, no pains, just smiles and good times. Val, I know that you and my mom have been friends for many years and have had quite a few of your own good times. You all have made great memories that will stay with you always. My dad always said, "good friends are hard to find." Luckily, you all found each other. God speed Papa Don, tell my dad I miss him but I'm doing fine.
Sherry (Wilbanks) Lynch

January 14, 2011

our dearest Katie and family.pop and I are so sorry you lost your beloved papa.
We know how much he will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are w/you and your whole family.
peter and Vicki
aka pop and gran

Burt & Debbie Yanez

January 13, 2011

Vince and Denise I am sorry to here of your Dads passing. Don always treated my family and I like we where part of his family.

Rod Taylor

January 13, 2011

Gary, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Cousin Greg mentions Don having that "extra something". You have it too my friend. My thoughts are with you and yours.

Donna Croke

January 13, 2011

Denise, Vince, Gary and Family,
Don was a dear friend with a heart of gold. My family was so fortunate to have you all in our lives and as neighbors. Fond memories live in our hearts forever.
Love, Donna Croke (Willhite)

Jack & Norma Caruthers

January 13, 2011

We are going to miss our friend of over 30 years. I was glad that we got to see him in Oct. He was a great friend to us and boss to my son. You will never meet a nicer person. He will always be in our hearts...Love you old friend.

January 13, 2011

Dear Valerie & Family
We are so sorry to hear of your loss, our sympathy and condolences are with you and your family. God be with you all at this most difficult time.
Art & Deborah Thomason

David & Tracie Caruthers

January 13, 2011

We were very sorry to hear that Don isn't with us any more. My husband worked for him for years doing tile and loved him very much. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family.. He will be missed.

William Steed

January 13, 2011

Don Billingsly... An Honorable Man
I knew Don for over forty years through his association with the Tile Industry.
Don was a credit to his trade, he always took care of business in a very professional manner.
If Don told you something was going to be taken care of, you could bank on it being done.
Dons passing adds another page to the growing list of fine craftsmen that the Tile industry has lost during resent years.
Don will be missed by all of us who knew him.

Bill

Shaun Willhite

January 12, 2011

Don was a GREAT man. I had the honor of growing up in the house next to Don's on Alpine Street. Don had the biggest heart a human can have and will remain an inspiration for me for many years to come. Long live the human spirit.

January 12, 2011

Dear Billingsly family,
I am Karla Billingsly/Bradley Dean Billingsly's daughter from Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Daddy was Don's first cousin. I heard all the stories about the onery things they did growing up together. I am so sorry for your loss--it is so hard to lose a part of our family. I just wanted you to know that you have been in my prayers and thoughts and will continue to be in them.

Rob Jankowski

January 12, 2011

R.I.P. Mr. Don Billingsly,
Vince, I am proud to say that you and your pops were great friends of the Jankowski family and we were very lucky to have known both of you on and off the golf course. He will be tuely missed by many, and I can say for certain that when I see you and Jimmy Moran on the golf couse it will always bring back the great memories of him and my pops too. God Bless you and your family and hold his spirit true to your heart because he is watching, especially on your back swing.....

Sicerely,
Rob Jankowski and family

Tomalene Goetz

January 12, 2011

There are no words to express the great sense of loss we feel and we know it is even greater for his children; Susan, LeDawn, Denise, Gary, Vincent and Donald's wife Val.

We shall miss our Saturday morning coffee with you and I shall miss your wonderfully warm hugs. Rest in peace our true and loyal friend. With love and sadness, Tommie and Fred Goetz

Mary Ann Morales

January 12, 2011

Val, I am truly sorry Mr. Billingsley is gone, his smile always made my day better. Out of all the VA's I worked with he was truly the best of the bestest! I am happy to know that I was able to make some difference in his life in helping him. My deepest sympathy to you Val and the family.

Rob Youngstrom

January 12, 2011

My deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary and family.

January 12, 2011

Papa D! We will surely miss your wonderful smile and generous heart.
Love, Greg & Vickie Beardall and daughter Nicole Rizzie.

Paul Frederiksen

January 12, 2011

Donny, you will be truly missed. My deepest sympathy to the Billingsly family and other friends. What a gentleman with a heart of gold! "Fairways and greens", my friend, "fairways and greens".

Albert Antunez Jr.

January 12, 2011

Vincent, Don was a terrific guy. I appreciated all of his witty humor, along with his big smile I will always remember it made me laugh and he always made me feel like family. (we could never beat him at pool at the old house) He will be missed. My condolences to you and your family.

Danny White

January 12, 2011

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Ellann and James Putnam

January 11, 2011

Our Hearts and Prayers go out to LeDawn and family, "God Bless"

The McMakin & The Putnam Families

January 11, 2011

Our hearts and prayers go out to LeDawn and family, "God Bless"

The McMakin & The Putnam Family

Cheri Dilliner Bockhold

January 11, 2011

I will truley miss my Uncle Don. He was a very special person!

Julie Bourassa

January 11, 2011

You will truly be missed! My prayers to the family and friends. With love Julie Bourassa

January 11, 2011

What a loving and wonderful man. He was just the sweetest. My heart goes out to all of his family, especially Denise, Dave Katie and Dillon....much love and many fond memories.

Sue Griffith

MARK MCKIDDY

January 10, 2011

DON WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED BY HIS HUGE SMILE, HUGE HEART AND HUGE LOVE FOR LIFE AND HIS LOVED ONES! HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST LOVING AND GIVING MEN I'VE EVER HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF HAVING IN MY LIFE. HE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY BY ANYONE WHO HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF HIS PRESENCE. OUR CONDOLENCES TO ALL HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES. MARK & THERESA MCKIDDY

Nancy Caraveo

January 10, 2011

Don was such a fun and loving person because he was loved by so many. He will be in my thoughts and prayers. My condolences to the family.

Carrie BIllingsly Depoy

January 10, 2011

I can't even to begin to say how empty I feel over Papa Don being gone. I loved him so much and couldn't have imagined a cooler guy in the world. What an amazing, generous, funny, and loyal person. Papa Don, you will be missed so much by so many. I remember so many great times and conversations with you and you know Jerry can never top your golf scores.Love you! Carrie(Billingsly) Depoy(Macomb, IL)

Pat Catanzaro

January 10, 2011

Ledawn and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. A wonderful, charming man who will be greatly missed. Pat, John and John Arthur

greg billingsly

January 10, 2011

I am shocked that my Uncle Don has gone so suddenly. He will be missed.

He was such a vibrant man, it is hard to believe. Even though he is in his late 70's he had offered to come help me put in some kitchen coutertops and even had wanted to travel across country with me to go see my father, his brother, who was sick.

Don was easy to talk to, was full of life and had a great sense of humour. On top of that he was a generous man who would give family, friends, or even strangers the shirt off his back if they needed it.

I would aspire to have a personality like my uncle Don, although I know I will never have that extra "something" that he has always had.

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