DR. THOMAS BILLINGS

DR. THOMAS BILLINGS 12/31/1939 ~ 10/26/2025 McPherson, KS: Dr. Thomas Michael Billings was born on December 31, 1939, at a hospital in Spearville, Kansas. His mother, Lillian Horning Billings, had worked at the hospital for a week prior, anticipating his arrival and worried that a storm might prevent her from getting to the hospital from their home on the farm. Waiting to greet them at home were his father, Wayne Gordon Billings, and his siblings, Phyllis and Bill. Growing up on a farm outside of Jetmore, KS, Tom learned the value of hard work from an early age. His days were filled with chores, school, horseback riding, and church activities. He graduated from high school in a class of 19 students, where he played football and basketball. At the age of 12, Tom was baptized at their home church, the United Presbyterian Church in Jetmore, KS. During his youth, two missionary doctors spoke at his church, making a significant impression on Tom. Though he initially trained in agriculture during high school, Tom decided he was called to be a missionary doctor, leaving the farm to study science at Sterling College. Tom met Nancy McCreery during his senior year at Sterling. A year after Tom graduated in 1962, Tom and Nancy married on August 2, 1963. Nancy supported them by teaching fourth grade for three years while Tom completed medical school, graduating in 1966. On October 23 of that same year, their first son, Brian Michael, was born, as Tom finished his residency at General Hospital in Kansas City. The family moved to the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe's headquarters in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Tom worked as a physician there with the Public Health Service for two years. Tom and Nancy's second son, David Allen was born on December 31, 1968, in Eagle Butte. From his early teens, Tom felt led to serve as a medical missionary in Africa. He and Nancy applied to the Evangelical Covenant Church for mission service and were approved for a two-year term as short-term missionaries in Congo. Tom's role was to work at Karawa Hospital while two career missionaries were on furlough. Despite having no prior language training, Tom thrived in his medical work, learning Lingala and fixing a broken X-ray machine at the hospital despite limited medical supplies. While in Congo, Tom wrote letters home seeking a position for a family practice physician, eventually choosing McPherson, Kansas. Over the next 54 years in McPherson, Tom remained busy as a physician, a family man, and a generous financial giver to international missions in Africa, and around the world. Their third son, John Todd, was born on June 9, 1973. Tom was a devoted father, often reading to his boys from books like C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and Space Trilogy, and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. While living in McPherson, Tom continued to participate in short-term missions as a physician, including trips to Ecuador, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. A man of deep faith, Tom loved studying the Bible, focusing particularly on Genesis, Hebrews, and Revelation. He often taught Sunday school, served as an elder in his church, and expressed his beliefs through letters to the editor. He authored a book titled Reality Living and created several pamphlets for his office to help his patients make wise decisions in our complicated world. Tom also valued physical fitness, participating in basketball, golf, swimming, and running in over 30 marathons. A highlight of his running career was qualifying for the Boston Marathon, where he proudly wore a shirt proclaiming "Jesus is Lord" on the front and "His Word is Truth" on the back. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Billings of McPherson; three children, Brian (Sheila) Billings of McPherson; David (Esther) Billings of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Todd (Rachel) Billings of Holland, Michigan; six grandchildren, Catherine Billings, Naomi Billings, Anastasia Billings, Xavier Billings, Netsanet Billings, and Nathaniel Billings; sister, Phyllis Olsen; Nancy's niece and cherished friend of Tom and Nancy, Lisa (Mark) Sylvester, and her daughters Elizabeth (AJ) Hawkins, Rebecca (JD) Dalk, and Sara (Dennis) Frank. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Lillian Billings, and his brother, William (Bill) G. Billings. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at New Hope Evangelical Church with Pastor George Bocox officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. Burial will follow the service at McPherson Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to New Hope Evangelical Church or Christian Aid Mission, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut St., McPherson, KS 67460. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.