James Harrison Billingsley, 88, passed away on Nov. 30, 2011 after several years of declining health. Jim was born Nov. 6, 1923, in Erie, Pa., to James H. Billingsley and Wenonah Willing Billingsley, both deceased.
After graduating from high school in Erie, Jim joined the United States Army as a paratrooper and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed during a battle on Luzon.
After obtaining his Bachelors degree at DePauw University, Jim went on to earn a Masters Degree in Music Education from Indiana State University. Jim's first marching band job after college was as the band director of Saegertown High School in Pennsylvania. While there, Jim developed a distinctive jazz dance style that electrified audiences and revolutionized marching band performances throughout the country. "Mr. B.," as he was known to the students who revered him throughout his career, went on to lead award-winning marching bands in Oberlin, Ohio, and then in Massillon, Ohio, taking his bands to perform at the Chicago All Star Game, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, London, England and to many professional football games. He became a legend in every community in which he taught, and his former students never stopped writing to let him know what an impact he'd had on their lives. Several have even gone on to lead marching bands of their own.
After hearing loss ended Jim's teaching career, he went on to make a name for himself as a master ceramic tile craftsman, until ill health finally forced him to retire at the age of 79. Since retirement, Jim has spent his time pursuing his hobbies, about which he was passionate: building detailed radio-controlled model airplanes; reading history and biographies; and keeping a close eye on his favorite football teams, the Massillon Tigers, Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; daughters, Susan Bixler and Sally Shea (Patrick); son, David Billingsley (Michelle); stepdaughters, Susan Farr (Penn) and Jennifer Brown; grandson, Nicholas Thompson; granddaughter, Chloe Thompson; brother, Hobie Billingsley; his brother-in-law, Carl Terry and his wife, Bonnie; brother-in- law, David Terry; and Jim's constant companion, his dog, Max, who brightened all his days.
There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
Canton Repository, 04 Dec 2011, Canton, Ohio.
After graduating from high school in Erie, Jim joined the United States Army as a paratrooper and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed during a battle on Luzon.
After obtaining his Bachelors degree at DePauw University, Jim went on to earn a Masters Degree in Music Education from Indiana State University. Jim's first marching band job after college was as the band director of Saegertown High School in Pennsylvania. While there, Jim developed a distinctive jazz dance style that electrified audiences and revolutionized marching band performances throughout the country. "Mr. B.," as he was known to the students who revered him throughout his career, went on to lead award-winning marching bands in Oberlin, Ohio, and then in Massillon, Ohio, taking his bands to perform at the Chicago All Star Game, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, London, England and to many professional football games. He became a legend in every community in which he taught, and his former students never stopped writing to let him know what an impact he'd had on their lives. Several have even gone on to lead marching bands of their own.
After hearing loss ended Jim's teaching career, he went on to make a name for himself as a master ceramic tile craftsman, until ill health finally forced him to retire at the age of 79. Since retirement, Jim has spent his time pursuing his hobbies, about which he was passionate: building detailed radio-controlled model airplanes; reading history and biographies; and keeping a close eye on his favorite football teams, the Massillon Tigers, Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; daughters, Susan Bixler and Sally Shea (Patrick); son, David Billingsley (Michelle); stepdaughters, Susan Farr (Penn) and Jennifer Brown; grandson, Nicholas Thompson; granddaughter, Chloe Thompson; brother, Hobie Billingsley; his brother-in-law, Carl Terry and his wife, Bonnie; brother-in- law, David Terry; and Jim's constant companion, his dog, Max, who brightened all his days.
There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
Canton Repository, 04 Dec 2011, Canton, Ohio.
James Harrison Billingsley, 88, passed away on Nov. 30, 2011 after several years of declining health. Jim was born Nov. 6, 1923, in Erie, Pa., to James H. Billingsley and Wenonah Willing Billingsley, both deceased.
After graduating from high school in Erie, Jim joined the United States Army as a paratrooper and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed during a battle on Luzon.
After obtaining his Bachelors degree at DePauw University, Jim went on to earn a Masters Degree in Music Education from Indiana State University. Jim's first marching band job after college was as the band director of Saegertown High School in Pennsylvania. While there, Jim developed a distinctive jazz dance style that electrified audiences and revolutionized marching band performances throughout the country. "Mr. B.," as he was known to the students who revered him throughout his career, went on to lead award-winning marching bands in Oberlin, Ohio, and then in Massillon, Ohio, taking his bands to perform at the Chicago All Star Game, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, London, England and to many professional football games. He became a legend in every community in which he taught, and his former students never stopped writing to let him know what an impact he'd had on their lives. Several have even gone on to lead marching bands of their own.
After hearing loss ended Jim's teaching career, he went on to make a name for himself as a master ceramic tile craftsman, until ill health finally forced him to retire at the age of 79. Since retirement, Jim has spent his time pursuing his hobbies, about which he was passionate: building detailed radio-controlled model airplanes; reading history and biographies; and keeping a close eye on his favorite football teams, the Massillon Tigers, Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; daughters, Susan Bixler and Sally Shea (Patrick); son, David Billingsley (Michelle); stepdaughters, Susan Farr (Penn) and Jennifer Brown; grandson, Nicholas Thompson; granddaughter, Chloe Thompson; brother, Hobie Billingsley; his brother-in-law, Carl Terry and his wife, Bonnie; brother-in- law, David Terry; and Jim's constant companion, his dog, Max, who brightened all his days.
There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
Canton Repository, 04 Dec 2011, Canton, Ohio.
After graduating from high school in Erie, Jim joined the United States Army as a paratrooper and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed during a battle on Luzon.
After obtaining his Bachelors degree at DePauw University, Jim went on to earn a Masters Degree in Music Education from Indiana State University. Jim's first marching band job after college was as the band director of Saegertown High School in Pennsylvania. While there, Jim developed a distinctive jazz dance style that electrified audiences and revolutionized marching band performances throughout the country. "Mr. B.," as he was known to the students who revered him throughout his career, went on to lead award-winning marching bands in Oberlin, Ohio, and then in Massillon, Ohio, taking his bands to perform at the Chicago All Star Game, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, London, England and to many professional football games. He became a legend in every community in which he taught, and his former students never stopped writing to let him know what an impact he'd had on their lives. Several have even gone on to lead marching bands of their own.
After hearing loss ended Jim's teaching career, he went on to make a name for himself as a master ceramic tile craftsman, until ill health finally forced him to retire at the age of 79. Since retirement, Jim has spent his time pursuing his hobbies, about which he was passionate: building detailed radio-controlled model airplanes; reading history and biographies; and keeping a close eye on his favorite football teams, the Massillon Tigers, Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; daughters, Susan Bixler and Sally Shea (Patrick); son, David Billingsley (Michelle); stepdaughters, Susan Farr (Penn) and Jennifer Brown; grandson, Nicholas Thompson; granddaughter, Chloe Thompson; brother, Hobie Billingsley; his brother-in-law, Carl Terry and his wife, Bonnie; brother-in- law, David Terry; and Jim's constant companion, his dog, Max, who brightened all his days.
There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
Canton Repository, 04 Dec 2011, Canton, Ohio.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
