Gerald O. Billow

1927 - 2022

Gerald O. Billow

Gerald (Jerry) O. Billow, age 94, died peacefully surrounded by family at Saint Mary's of the Woods in Avon, Ohio, on January, 2, 2022. Jerry was born to John and Lydia (Vollmer) Billow on May 17, 1927, in Bryan, Ohio. Jerry was the middle child of five siblings. He graduated from Ney High School in 1945 and served in the navy for one year after graduation. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Capital University and a master's degree and administration specialist degree from The Ohio State University.

Gerald's educational career began in Gambier, Ohio, where he also met the love of his life, Mary Jane Creviston. Gerald and Mary Jane were married in 1952, in North Lewisburg, Ohio. They resided in the Toledo area for 53 years before moving to Avon, Ohio. They were married for 69 years and together had four children: Jeffery, Anita, James and Nancy.

For 35 years, Jerry served as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent and various other administrative positions. His educational career included stops in Kenton, Wauseon, Delaware County, Adams Local Schools in Lucas County and Toledo Public Schools before retiring in 1995. He then became director of the Toledo Travel School and later was vice-president of personnel for Central Travel where he retired again in 2001. Following second retirement, Jerry spent winters with Mary Jane in Delray Beach, Florida, enjoying time with brothers-in-law, Joseph Creviston and William (Gloria) Creviston, and other family members.

Gerald was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Toledo for over 40 years until it closed its doors. He was active in many leadership roles at the church, such as chairman of the board at Asbury Day Care and Nursery, and various committees of the church. He was also treasurer and board member of the International Institute of Greater Toledo providing services to immigrant populations and served the United Way in many of the communities where he lived.

Jerry liked watching baseball, football and basketball at the high school, college and professional levels. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf leagues with his friends. He loved to travel with Mary Jane all over the United States, Europe, Canada and cruising the Caribbean, Alaska, the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mexican Riviera.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane; three children, Jeffery (Pamela) Billow of Lorain, Ohio, Anita (Robert) Castro of Delavan, Wisconsin and James (Susan Szymanski) Billow of Largo, Florida; grandchildren, Matthew (Melanie) Billow, Aaron Billow, Rebekah (Nathaniel) Bryan, Timothy (Jillian) Castro and Nathan (Kelly) Szymanski; and great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Cameron, Genevieve, Alexandria, Bridget, Callie and James.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lydia Billow; brothers, Lawrence and Marvin Billow; sisters, Erma Lindhorst and Clara Garver; and youngest daughter, Nancy Jane Billow (age 11).

Services for Gerald O. Billow will be held at Maumee United Methodist Church, 405 Sackett Street, Maumee, Ohio, on Thursday, January 6, 2022. Visitation will begin at the church at 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service officiated by the Reverend Barry Burns at 12:00 p.m. A luncheon at the church will follow. A livestream of the funeral service is available at https://youtu.be/vqpTw0U7jWA Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 7, at Maple Grove Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Ohio, where Gerald will be buried alongside Nancy Jane. Arrangements are under the care of Walker Funeral Home, Holland, Ohio. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

The family wishes to thank Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care of Cleveland for their compassionate care.

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