BILLINGS: Gerald Wayne (Gerry) entered eternal life on Wednesday May 6, 2020. He was born January 19, 1942 in Albuquerque, NM to Donald H. and Mildred E. Neel Billings. He moved to Silver City with his family when he was 5 years old. They lived on Bennett Street. His father Don and the two boys delivered milk and ice cream for the T & M Dairy every Saturday to Reserve and Luna until Gerry was 11. He was active in Cub and Boy Scouts.
Gerry started working for AT Cross Cattle Co. when he was 16 years old. His first job there was to cut the grass, but soon he moved up to full cowboy responsibilities. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s he owned and operated B&J Pipe and Supply in Silver City; but decided he preferred the cowboy life. He was a graduate of Western High School in 1959.
He was married June 5, 1959 to Julia Darlene McMillen in her parent’s home in the Mangus Valley, and they were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was active in church and served in many capacities including bishop, counselor in the stake presidency, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and scout leader. He served on the Silver Consolidated School Board, on the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings, and AM Bank in Silver City.
The one thing that brought him the most pride and happiness was his family. He enjoyed working with members of his family on the ranch, branding, building fence, and installing pipelines and watering facilities. Friends remember him for his kindness, welcoming smile, sense of humor, laughing, joking, teasing, his life stories, lessons, and his love of the Lord. Anyone who knew Gerry knew he was a worker as he was always building or fixing something. One legacy is all the corrals he built on the ranch. It is a family joke that he built corrals to hold elephants not cows.
Gerry moved to Cow Springs Ranch in Luna County in 2005 and loved the history associated with this landmark; his sister Diane came to live with him there a few years later. His thoughts and actions were often turned to helping others. He is remembered by many and he was always glad to hear stories of friends and family members far and wide.
He is survived by his children Judy Billings, Billy Billings (Rhonda) and Eli Valenzuela (Lara). Grandchildren Wayne Billings (Lucinda), Chris Billings (Jessica), Randi White (Jared), Lizzie Billings, Eliana Valenzuela and Alexander Valenzuela (Megan). Great Grandchildren Justin, Carson and Jennifer Billings, Kason, Tyson, Brooklynn, Joshua and Jonathan Billings, Austin and Graham White. Brother Roland Billings (Norma) and Sister Diane Billings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Darlene and his parents. His family finds comfort in knowing that they are together again.
Because of COVID restrictions no services will take place at this time, however, a Celebration of life Service will be held at a later time (yet to be determined).
Written by Gerry; Feb 2020:
“This old rain chasing cowboy has finished and now turns that over to future generations. As you stand here you can behold a beautiful world that God created. I now go to be with my Eternal Mate. We will meet again. Farewell.”
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels
Gerry started working for AT Cross Cattle Co. when he was 16 years old. His first job there was to cut the grass, but soon he moved up to full cowboy responsibilities. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s he owned and operated B&J Pipe and Supply in Silver City; but decided he preferred the cowboy life. He was a graduate of Western High School in 1959.
He was married June 5, 1959 to Julia Darlene McMillen in her parent’s home in the Mangus Valley, and they were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was active in church and served in many capacities including bishop, counselor in the stake presidency, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and scout leader. He served on the Silver Consolidated School Board, on the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings, and AM Bank in Silver City.
The one thing that brought him the most pride and happiness was his family. He enjoyed working with members of his family on the ranch, branding, building fence, and installing pipelines and watering facilities. Friends remember him for his kindness, welcoming smile, sense of humor, laughing, joking, teasing, his life stories, lessons, and his love of the Lord. Anyone who knew Gerry knew he was a worker as he was always building or fixing something. One legacy is all the corrals he built on the ranch. It is a family joke that he built corrals to hold elephants not cows.
Gerry moved to Cow Springs Ranch in Luna County in 2005 and loved the history associated with this landmark; his sister Diane came to live with him there a few years later. His thoughts and actions were often turned to helping others. He is remembered by many and he was always glad to hear stories of friends and family members far and wide.
He is survived by his children Judy Billings, Billy Billings (Rhonda) and Eli Valenzuela (Lara). Grandchildren Wayne Billings (Lucinda), Chris Billings (Jessica), Randi White (Jared), Lizzie Billings, Eliana Valenzuela and Alexander Valenzuela (Megan). Great Grandchildren Justin, Carson and Jennifer Billings, Kason, Tyson, Brooklynn, Joshua and Jonathan Billings, Austin and Graham White. Brother Roland Billings (Norma) and Sister Diane Billings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Darlene and his parents. His family finds comfort in knowing that they are together again.
Because of COVID restrictions no services will take place at this time, however, a Celebration of life Service will be held at a later time (yet to be determined).
Written by Gerry; Feb 2020:
“This old rain chasing cowboy has finished and now turns that over to future generations. As you stand here you can behold a beautiful world that God created. I now go to be with my Eternal Mate. We will meet again. Farewell.”
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels
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