Barry Basil Billings of Elizabethtown, passed away on December 15, 2023. He was 85. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who retired as a Colonel from the United States Army after a distinguished military career that included a tour of duty in Vietnam and service in many places including South Korea, Germany, Maryland, Michigan, Kansas, Georgia and Fort Knox, where he served as Provost Marshal. While serving his country, he earned various awards including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Ranger TAB and Senior Parachutist. Upon his retirement from the Army, he spent 20 years in the private sector working first for Taylor Drugs and then Humana. Barry graduated from Owego Free Academy (Owego, NY) in 1956 and earned his bachelors and masters degrees from Michigan State University in 1960 and 1973, respectively. He was active with the Retired Military Police Officers Association, the Sons of the American Revolution (Col. John Hardin Chapter) and was for many years a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown. Barry was an avid reader, painter, puzzle enthusiast and a sharp Boggle and chess player. He was also someone his family always knew they could count on. He lived the values he developed as an Eagle Scout, including being loyal, helpful, trustworthy and kind. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Dorothy Billings of Owego, New York, and by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan Eastman Billings. Barry is survived by his three children, Gabrielle Billings (Graham), and Barry Brad Billings (Aiysha), both of Louisville and Sabrina Billings (Jesse) of Hanover, New Hampshire, along with his seven grandchildren, Karim, Luke, Leo, Ace, Mariam, Augustus and Juniper. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Wilson of Owego, New York and his nephews George, Chuck and Bill Wilson. There will be a celebration of his life on Thursday, December 21 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown with visitation from 9:00a.m 11:00a.m. Funeral services will start at 11a.m. Barry will be laid to rest next to Joan in Cave Hill Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Memorial United Methodist Church

Service:

Thursday, December 21, 2023 starting at 11:00 AM
Memorial United Methodist Church