James L. Billingsley

James L. Billingsley, 91, Fishers, passed away September 28, 2022. He was born in Indianapolis on February 8, 1931 to Ernest and Anna (Bence) Billingsley. He played clarinet for the Indianapolis Star Newsboys Band for several years. He graduated from Howe High School where he was an excellent student, history and music among his favorite subjects. He played and lettered in several sports while in school.
After graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country for three years—one of the years being spent in Korea. Upon his return from the war, and discharge from the Marines, he returned to a position with Western Electric that he held prior to his enlistment and continued to work for them the next 35 years. After retiring from there, he went to work for Courterco, Inc. for another 15+ years, retiring in the early 2000s.
Soon after his time in the Marines, he met and married his wife of 61 years, Barbara (Herron) Billingsley. They raised nine children and over the years, they shared the many joys that grandchildren and great grandchildren add to a family. Jim enjoyed watching many kinds of sports, but none so much as those being played by his kids and grandkids throughout the years, from their earliest “peewee” days through college.
A true Marine to the end, Jim embodied their motto, Semper Fidelis (Always faithful) throughout his life. He was a devout Catholic, converting as a young man shortly before their first child was born and remaining unwavered in his faith. He mentored and served as sponsor for several men choosing to follow the Lord through joining the Catholic Church (including two of his sons-in-law).
Beside his parents and his wife, Barbara, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Jackson (Jack) Billingsley; sister, Deanne de Langlade; sons-in-law, David Lopes and David Ferris Sr., and great grandson, Jack Oliver Ferris.
Survivors include his children: Beth Ferris, J. Michael, Lisa Lopes, Joseph, Karen (Colin), Susan Noone (Tom), Brenda Wood (Todd), Linda Confer (Hans), and Laura Madden (Jeff); his grandchildren: Danielle Dwenger (Jeff), Matthew Ferris (Sara), Leslie Montes Ferris, David Ferris II (Christine), Emily Farley (Frank), Adam Ferris (Kathleen), and Aaron Ferris (Melissa); Mitchell Lopes; Henry Jacobson; Olivia Noone; Zachariah and Lauren Wood; Ashley, Caroline, Simon, and Andrew Confer; Conor, Riley, and Lily Madden; and his great grandchildren: Morgan, Sam and Will Thomas; Haley, Susannah, James, and Daniel Ferris; Leila Montes Ferris; John and Drew Ferris; Maeve and Hadley Farley; Blake, Luke and Annie Ferris; and Madelyn, Brooklyn, Harper and Presley Ferris; sister-in-law, Carolyn Herron Lynch (Martin), brother-in-law, Joseph Herron (Rosemary), niece, Aimee de Langlade (his sister, Deanne’s daughter), and many other nieces and nephews as well.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Grace at Home, Allisonville Meadows Nursing Home & Assisted Living, and Premier Hospice for the loving care given their father, especially this last summer.
Calling will be Friday, November 18, 2022, from 11am to 1pm at Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow thereafter at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or a charity of your own choosing.