Billy D Just

Billy D Just passed away in his sleep on March 29, 2025.

Billy D Just came from a family with an American pioneer history. His great grandmother Emma Just and great grandfather Nels Just crossed the Great Plains in 1854 and settled in Idaho. It was a tough life.

Billy was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Christmas Eve in1929, the son of George William (Bill) Just and Louise Just.

Billy was a math major and later worked for General Dynamics and Rohr Marine as a designing engineer. He worked on many projects over the years including the Atlas Missile, the F102, the Cruise Missile and the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit System).

Billy is survived by his sons Wyatt E Just and Billy D. Just Jr (Rocky).  Also are his adopted granddaughter Deborah Shillings and adopted grandson Conor Shillings.

Billy loved his family, friends and people in general. He always enjoyed talking to people and was a great listener. He loved joking and telling jokes and didn’t mind being the brunt of one. Holidays and birthdays were always a special and happy time at the Just’s house.

Billy had many hobbies. He was taught by his amazing father to be a skilled mechanic, carpenter, and metalworker. He designed and built things his entire life. He built a dune buggy and we spent many happy weekends in the desert. Billy also loved riding off-road motorcycles and would often go riding with Wyatt.

He was a marathon runner and had a large collection of T-shirts from his marathons.

Billy was also an amateur Bullfighter and traveled extensively in Mexico. He loved visiting the pyramids in Yucatan and Mexico city. He spoke Spanish fluently.

Billy always loved trains and built an n-scale model railroad in the family room.

He loved animals, especially horses, dogs, rabbits, birds and fish. He built large fishponds and filled them with huge Koi fish, named each one and could even pet them. He had hummingbird feeders outside his windows and loved to watch them.

When he was 89 Billy fell, was injured and unable to walk. His family, Wyatt, Rocky, Deborah and Zan took it upon themselves to care for him 24 hours a day so he could spend the last 6 years of his life in the home he loved with his family.

Billy passed peacefully in his sleep. Two days before he was telling stories and joking with his family and the caregivers. He was ready to rest and join his wife Cherie, his beloved parents and family in the afterlife. Knowing and loving him has enriched our lives in so many ways. His great advice, sense of humor and jokes will never be forgotten. We will all miss him.

Good by Billy,

You had an amazing long life filled with love, passion and adventure.