Stewart Richard Billings

Stewart Richard Billings, 75, of Bloomington, died in the early hours of December 31, 2015 at the Richland Bean Blossom Health Care Center in Ellettsville. He was born December 16, 1940 in Alton, Illinois to Stewart Raymond Billings and Thelma Doll Billings. Dick graduated from St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky in 1958 and St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1962. He then immediately joined Hamilton National Life Insurance Company of Indianapolis, a firm founded by his father in 1958. At his father's wise insistence, he mastered multiple areas of expertise in the insurance industry and continued his career at Victory Life Insurance Company in Topeka, Kansas from 1976 to 1988 as an Executive Vice President of Administration and member of the Board of Directors who managed over 200 professionals in the firm. A polio survivor at just 2 years old, Dick showed early tenacity and perseverance to overcome that obstacle and the ones that would follow. Dick met his wife, then Marilyn Trapp, a Bloomington native, in early September 1966. They were engaged Valentine's Day of 1967 and united in Holy Matrimony on June 24,1967 in a beautiful Nuptial Mass in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. Dick and Marilyn delighted over the coming years in the arrivals and rearing of their four darling daughters. Dick had the perfect skills and temperament to be the father of all girls. In 1989, Dick and Marilyn purchased a franchise business to run together with their children and realized their dream to move home to Indiana. Dick was incredibly meticulous with everything he did and had the skills that would rival a professional at painting, hanging wallpaper, landscaping, and home design. He was an avid golfer, bowler, and family card shark. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his 4 daughters and their families: Stephanie Billings Eberle and her husband Lance of Bloomington; Courtney Billings Crum-Hieftje and her husband Chris of Bloomington; Jennifer Billings Barnes of Fremont, Indiana; and Susan Billings Hendrickson and her husband David of Bloomington. He is also survived by 13 adored grandchildren: Chase Eberle; Drew, Carter, Zoe, and Tory Crum-Hieftje; Jack, Cole, Luke, and William Barnes; Nathan, Megan, Kathryn, and Nicholas Hendrickson. Of his three siblings, one sister, Roberta Stadtmiller, of North Carolina, also survives. Dick was preceded in death by: his parents; an older brother, Donald Billings, who succumbed to brain cancer at the early age of 46 in 1981; and an infant sister, Eleanor Billings. Sadly, in 1998, Dick lost his beloved wife of 31 years, Marilyn Trapp Billings, after she suffered a valiant, 4 year battle with breast cancer. Dick never truly regained his zest for life after Marilyn's death and felt quite incomplete and alone without her. His children rejoice in their belief that they are now reunited. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, January 4, 2016 at 10:00AM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church where he was a longtime member. Friends may call at the church from 9:00AM to 10:00AM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will occur within St. Charles at 9:30AM. Dick will be interred next to Marilyn in the mausoleum at Valhalla Memory Gardens immediately after Mass. Memorial contributions to St. Charles School or Hospice of Bloomington would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old Sate Road 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

Tributes

Stewart Richard Billings

December 16, 1940 - December 31, 2015