James J. Billo

Nov. 17, 1946 ­ April 18, 2009

At his request, no services will be held for James J. Billo, 62, of Coos Bay. Cremation rites will be held at Ocean View Memory Gardens in Coos Bay. A private family scattering of his ashes at sea will take place at a later date.

James Jay Billo was born Nov. 17, 1946, in Annapolis, Md., to James D. Billo and Roberta (Doris) Billo. He died April 18, 2009, in Coos Bay.

Jim was raised in Lancaster, Calif., and graduated from Fresno State University in 1968. He was a top-rated tennis player in both high school and college and was proud of the fact he once got beat by tennis great Arthur Ash. After college, Jim worked for Lockheed Aircraft and spent four years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He later moved to Gold Beach, where he became manager of Jot's Resort. In 1983, he moved to Newhall, Calif., where he ran his own business for eight years. He and his wife, Rita, moved in 1991 to Coos Bay, where he worked as a property manager until retiring in 2008. Jim enjoyed watching sporting events, woodworking projects, gardening and reading. He will be remembered by all of his friends and family.

Jim is survived by his wife of 26 years, Rita Billo of Coos Bay; daughter, Andrea Venegas of Visalia, Calif.; daughter, Lauren Billo of Santa Cruz, Calif.; stepdaughter, Linda Winslow of Creswell; stepdaughter, Lori Allen of Keizer; stepson, Bradley Allen of Coos Bay; parents, James and Roberta Billo of Gold Beach; sister, Michele Mayer of Canyon Country, Calif.; sister, Janice Carpenter of Gold Beach; granddaughters, Ashlyn and Marci Venegas of Visalia; eight stepgrandchildren; and six great-stepgrandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Make a Wish Foundation of America, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 29119, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9119.

Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 267-3131.

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This obituary was originally published in The World.