Gary W. Billings

Some of us search our whole lives for the right path, the right road, and for what matters most, never truly finding happiness. Gary Wayne Billings was a man who realized that there were many different roads to the same destination, and each of us must follow our own paths to get there. He was guided by his love of his family, and his newfound faith in the Lord, a faith that lives on in those who knew him today.

Gary's story began on a warm September day in 1950, a time of great change in this great nation. America began fighting the Korean Conflict overseas, even as the heroes of World War II had returned home to claim their share of the American Dream they'd fought so hard for, giving birth to the Baby Boomer generation. In the beautiful lakeside town of Ludington, Michigan, George and Betty (Rhinebolt) Billings were busy expecting a baby boom all their own. On September 14, 1950, on a sunny Thursday at Paulina Stearns Hospital in Ludington, they were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, a son they named Gary Wayne Billings. Gary was the second of four children born to George and Betty, and together the family lived in nearby Scottville. He graduated from Mason County Central High School in 1968.

After graduating, Gary went to work at Brode's Auto Parts in Ludington, before he became the manager of Northern Auto Parts in Manistee. Gary had a passion for cars, and was a natural mechanic, making him a very good manager there. Several years his location was named "Store of the Year." When he wasn't at the store, though, you could always find him out back, tinkering with one of his cars. He loved to work on cars, restore them to their original beauty, and owned a gorgeous 1967 Mercury Comet Caliente he was so proud of.

Of course, Gary was also a proud parent, blessed with a daughter, Michelle, and a son, Bradley, and a beautiful granddaughter, Deven. He was a great father, and the family spent many wonderful summer trips camping in Benzonia and Traverse City, which were very special memories for Michelle.

Gary had many other loves, and had a soft spot for the Habitat for Humanity, to which he was a faithful donor. He also loved music, especially old-time rock-n-roll, and recently had enjoyed listening to jazz. He had a passion for writing poetry and had the joy of having several of his poems published.

Gary also found a love for the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as his savior on Easter Sunday of this year. After a lifetime of searching, Gary found the ultimate fulfillment for which he had been looking. He was a wonderful son, father, grandfather and friend, and a gentle man. He has blessed those who read them with the heartfelt thoughts he often put on paper. He is remembered for many things, among them these words that live on today.

"Carry Me Home" by Gary Billings

I am old enough to know who I am

And smart enough to know what I've been

And I still remember where it all began

I've been lost in a fog thick and low

And lost in a whirlwind of driving snow

Been so confused I didn't know the way to go

Turned to faith and family and friends

Gave thanks to God for the blessings He sends

Asked him to see me through to the end

Had to face some things I know were true

Had to say to God I'm leaving it up to you

He came in and carried me on through

He keeps me safe under his coat and arm

And pulls me away from the edge of harm

He is so much more than a good luck piece or charm

For me it's true those footprints in the sand

He has lifted me so many times in his hands

And one day will carry me to his home so grand

Gary W. Billings, aged 55, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, June 26, 2006. After a short but valiant battle with cancer, he passed away in the presence of his family.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, his grandparents, and a grand-nephew. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Michelle (Eric) Soneral, and his son Bradley Billings both of Scottville, his granddaughter Deven Billings of Covington, Tennessee, his mother and beloved caregiver Betty of Ludington, his sisters Rev. Jan (Danny) O'Brien of Scottville, Bev (Bob) Budzynski of Houghton Lake, and Judy (Dick) Carstens of Ludington, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held for Gary at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville with his sister Rev. Jan O'Brien of Free Soil United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at South Victory Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Tuesday from 6-9 PM at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Michigan ~ Mason County, or Habitat for Humanity.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 NIV