Jerry L. Billings

Jerry L. Billings, 76 of Kearney died Sunday, April 09, 2017 at CHI Good Samaritan in Kearney, NE after a short illness. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Kearney First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alan Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday at the O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Judith Sims Billings Scholarship care of the University of Nebraska Foundation or the Kearney First United Methodist Church. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jerry was born August 24, 1940 with his womb mate, an identical twin, Gary D. Billings. Jerry and Gary were born to Lester and D. Lorraine (Preston) Billings in Kearney, NE. Jerry went to K-12 public school in Kearney graduating in 1958. After high school, Jerry attended Kearney State College graduating in 1963 with a degree in Music Education and a Master’s in Music Education in 1968. Jerry’s love for music came from his dad, as he suggested that Jerry and Gary join the band. The two boys started band in the 7th grade and loved it, playing in the concert band as well as the stage band as a senior. Jerry continued to play in the band throughout college, playing in the College Commanders (Stage Band). After graduation, Jerry taught music in Bushnell, Dalton and Loomis Public schools. in 1975, Jerry changed careers and began working for Allmand Bros. in Holdrege. He continued with Allmand Bros. until he retired in 2000. In 1961, Jerry married Margaret Issler and to this union four children were born: Kandis May, Kevin Wayne, Kori Lee, and Kurtis James. The couple divorced in 1979 On June 21, 1980, Jerry married Judith Lynn Sims and to this union a daughter was born, Jerilyn Marie. Jerry and Judy made their home in Kearney. Jerry loved life and joking around. A hobby of Jerry’s was his two older Buick’s which he enjoyed working on. The first, Jerry’s father’s 1967 wildcat 4-door Hard top, and the second, a 1968 Electric 225 convertible. The kids and grandkids enjoyed driving the old cars at Cruise Nite and Jerry enjoyed showing them off each summer. Jerry loved spending his mornings at a local donut shop joking around with his friends. Jerry also enjoyed volunteering at the hospital and greeting the visitors at the medical office building. Jerry was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and was involved in the Seekers Sunday School Class. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Gary Billings and his sister-in-law, Judy. Survivors include his wife Judith: daughter, Kandis Coomes and her husband Rick of Phillipsburg, KS; sons, Kevin of Omaha, NE, Kori of Phillipsburg, KS and Kurt and his wife Jessica of Phillipsburg, KS; and daughter Jerilyn Wright and her husband Travis of Kearney, NE; sister Rochelle Kelly and her husband Dave of Papillion, NE; Two nephew’s Pat and his wife Jenny and Brian and his wife Andrea and their families both of Omaha, NE. Grandchildren: Deveony, DaKota, Dillon, Derick, Jocelyn, Brynn, Kannon and Rylan and Great Grandchildren, Deegan and Delilah.

Jerry L. Billings

August 24, 1940 - April 9, 2017