Herman W. Billings Jr.

1947 - 2025

Rusty stood for his final Taps on Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025. Rusty was born Dec 14, 1947, in the Bronx, NY, and graduated from the NY public school system. Shortly after graduation, he applied to and attended the four-year university otherwise known as "Vietnam." He bravely and gallantly served four decorated years of jungle combat, living horrors and atrocities that Coppola and Stone only brushed upon in their movies. He returned to the U.S. in early 1971 to not much of a welcome. Upon his return, he fought savage demons in a private hell that later became known as "PTSD" and had trouble adjusting until his older brother John showed him a trade. Rusty then moved to the Irwin area, where he remained until death. He worked as a truck driver/mover, painter, security guard, and, lastly, auto mechanic until his full retirement. He was always busy, never idle. He married once, that we know, for a short time and had one son, Shawn, and has remained an eligible bachelor since 1977. He lived for over 45 years in "The Trees" so long that the family feels the least they can do is name one of the buildings after him. We have discovered that Rusty was very well-liked and known as a friend in the Irwin area. He was a frequent visitor to the old Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, Wendy's, Bob Evans, and especially Goodwill, holding court with his friends for hours at a time. And of course, he was a regular fixture at his locker at Conleys, always ready to shoot the breeze and offer up a cold pop from his mini fridge while endlessly rearranging the boxes. It is a safe bet that half of Irwin stopped by one time or another. Still, he quietly fought those demons, keeping them to himself such that everyone who met him genuinely liked him, and if he thought you were a good person, he would do anything in return for you. Rusty had two closely held "rules" till the end, even as they now fade from everyday society: No. One: Protect the vulnerable especially children and No. Two: Always respect anyone wearing or who has worn the uniform. He did everything in his life to live by that. Rusty had a large blended family and siblings, "Johnny," Jimmy," Rose, "Billy," and "Bernie," with both Bernie and Rose preceding him in death. Rusty had four close nephews and nieces he enjoyed being with and who meant the world to him: "Ed," "Marty," "D'Arcy," and John; and nine great-nephews and nieces to enjoy: Bailey, Ryan, "EJ," Travis, Nicolas, Aiden, Noah, Michael, and Jacob. Rusty could be a stubborn pain at times, but we all loved him and now miss him. He had the funniest stories to tell and the best impish grin. If you knew him, you know what I mean. Friends will be received from 5 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, with Pastor Joshua Persall officiating in OTT FUNERAL HOME INC., 805 Pennsylvania Ave., Irwin, PA 15642. Rusty will be buried at a later date at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, with a military honors service. The family asks that no one send flowers he was not into that so much but if you must do something, help a vet, or even in lieu of that, thank a vet, and mean it. "Stand down, brave soldier your service has made us safer." To leave an online condolence, please visit www.ottfuneralhome.com.