In Memory*

Donald Billings

Donald Billings

Donald "Don" L. Billings entered eternal rest on Friday September 15, 2017 at his home in Las Cruces, NM, surrounded by his loving family. He was 71 years old.
Don was born in Los Alamos, NM on April 17, 1946 to Frank and Zetta Billings. He married Diana on September 27, 1997. He graduated high school from Valley High in Albuquerque, NM and graduated from NMSU with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural. He taught Ag in Tierra Amarilla, NM and Casa Grande, Az. Don came back to Las Cruces in the early '70's to become an electrical contractor which led him to start his own business known as Current Electric.
Don was known to many as "Cowboy" because of his love of horses and especially team roping. He was a member of the NM Businessman's Team Roping Association and roped in many of the Cowboy for Cancer events. When Parkinson's Disease forced him to retire from Current Electric and team roping, his next passion was playing golf. He was loved by many at Red Hawk Golf Course where he hit A Hole in One on April 26, 2016 right after his 70th birthday. 
Don is survived by his loving wife and traveling partner of 20 years, Diana Billings and his 3 children. Son and business partner, Jeff Billings and wife, Leslie Billings of Las Cruces, NM. 2 daughters, Kelly Billings of Albuquerque, NM and Whitney Bustillos and husband, Chris of Silver City, NM. Stepdaughter, Amanda Rios and companion, Eric Dickenson of New Jersey and Stepson, Gabriel Rios of Albuquerque, NM. 
The youngest loves of his life were his 5 grandchildren. Ariel Hufker and husband Jeff, Mitchell Billings, Zoe Billings, Xander Bustillos and Ryan Billings. He was blessed to love 3 great grandchildren. Macie Billings, Emmie Hufker and Brycen Hufker. His furry little buddy, Rosco , loved to sit and watch the Diamondbacks during their nap time.
He is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Peterson of Paradise, California and his brother, Jerry Billings of Farmington, NM, his mother-in-law, Bertha Williams, sister-in-law, Lahri Singh and brother-in-law, Jon Singh. "Unca" Don was loved by many nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Zetta Billings.
A memorial service will be held at La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home on Saturday September 23, 2017 at 10:00 am. A special thanks goes out to Ambercare Hospice and especially for the kindness and compassion from Caroline, Amanda and Pastor Patrick.
Arrangements are with La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home 555 West Amador Las Cruces, NM, 88005. To sign the online guest book visit www.LaPaz-Grahams.com

 

Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on Sept. 21, 2017

Obituary Provided by Leslie Fluke

 

 

Posted on: Sep 15, 2017 at 2:27 PM by Robert A. Richardson

Another Viking, and my lifelong best friend, Don Billings passed away peacefully in his home this morning. He is survived by his wife Diana, children Jeff, Kelly and Whitney, and 5 grandchildren with another one in the chute. Don graduated from NMSU and taught school for several years before starting his own very successful electrical contracting business in Las Cruces.
Don experienced life with a gusto few will ever experience. He was a champion team-roper, played golf 4-5 times a week, traveled the country chasing his favorite sport, baseball, attempting to visit every ballpark in the country. His travels would often bring him through Tucson and we'd always get together to laugh and rehash the "good old days."
We once went to Mazatlan for some golf and deep sea fishing, another of Don's many passions. Unfortunately, while Don was reeling in the big ones, I spent all my time below deck, suffering a severe case of sea-sickness so I had to take his word for it that he was the one who actually caught all those whoppers.
Jim Windsor and I spent time with him last week in Las Cruces. While the ravages of Parkinson's Disease and Bels Palsey had taken their toll, making speech impossible, we knew Don was pleased, even grateful that we had come to say our final good-byes.
I already miss him more than mere words can express.

 



 
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09/24/17 06:18 PM #1    

Leslie Fluke

Rest in Peace Donald. 

Please see the above Obituary I obtained online.
 

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