James Billings

James Clyde Billings went to be with Jesus on the morning of December 14, 2019 while being under the loving and kind care of the wonderful people at Ayers in Trenton, Florida. Clyde was born on October 29, 1928 in Jamestown, North Carolina to Reverend Paul and Carrie Billings. He was the second of six children. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy to support our country during World War II. After the Navy, he returned to finish high school and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1948. He married Juanita Blair on March 23, 1951 and was married for 52 years until her death in 2003. In 1961, he, Juanita, and Jim moved to Tampa, Florida so he could open a home office for an insurance company and later worked for Swift and Company Meats until he retired in 1989. Clyde and Juanita moved to Chiefland, Florida later on after his retirement that same year. Clyde was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church where he attended faithfully until his health no longer allowed. Everyone he met he invited to his church. He loved saltwater fishing and animals of all kind. Some of his favorite things to watch on TV were old gospel music channels, TV Land, and The Weather Channel. He enjoyed fast food, especially McDonalds, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and anything sweet. In Clydes later years whenever asked "How are you doing?" he would always reply, "Im hanging in there with the help of the Lord." Now we rejoice in knowing that hes no longer hanging in, but hanging WITH the Lord! Clyde was predeceased by his brother Don Billings, his sister Kathleen Merritt, and sister Joan Jester. He is survived by sisters Brenda Russell of High Point, North Carolina and Gayle Johnson of Monticello, Georgia. Survivors include son, Jim (Susan) Billings of Chiefland, Florida and Veronica (Bart) Tillis of Brandon, Florida. He has four grandchildren, Michael Billings, Megan (Chase) Clunan, Mallory Billings, and Amanda Tillis and two great-grandchildren, Jude and Declan Clunan. Funeral service will be held Monday, December 16th, 2019 at 11:00am at Knauff Funeral Home Chapel in Chiefland with internment immediately following at Chiefland Cemetery. Officiating will be Dr. Greg Douglas of Pine Grove Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the care of the Knauff Funeral Home-Chiefland, FL (352)493-4777 In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pine Grove Missions 16655 NW County Road Trenton, FL 32693 Or Samaritans Purse 801 Bamboo Road Boone, North Carolina 28607 Funeral Service Knauff Funeral Home - Chiefland Monday, December 16, 2019 11:00 AM 715 West Park Avenue Chiefland, Florida 32626 Interment to follow the service at the Chiefland Cemetery