BILLINGSLEY, Howard James

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, Thursday January 24, 2013 Billingsley, Howard James 76, of Payson passed away on January 19, 2013. Howard met his sweetheart when they were 14, and when they began dating three years later, a romance that lasted six decades began. Together they raised three Children and had many adventures motorcycling, camping and hunting in the mountains or boating at Apache Lake. The couple raised their family in Kearny where Howard was the Assistant Volunteer Fire Chief, Little League Umpire, and Boy Scout Master. He retired from ASARCO as a Front Line Supervisor for the open pit mine. A member of the York Rite Body in Winslow, Howard was a Master of the White Mountain Masonic Lodge in Globe and a four-time Master of the Ray-Winkleman Masonic Lodge in Kearny. He was also an AARP tax preparer, an Inspector of Precincts for the Gila County Election Board, And a Mogollon Health Alliance volunteer. Howard is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Shirley Billingsley, children Karen (Rich) Thomas of Winslow, Sandy Billingsley of Florence, and Ken (Teresa) Billingsley of Mesa, ten grandchilren; Patrick (Anna) Thomas, Dorothy (Eric) Bryer, Michelle Thomas, Jennifer Torres (Mateo) Lawrence, Marco (Stephanie) Torres, Carmen (Tony) Alonzo, Kendra Paynter, Matthew (Carly) Simpson, Katie Billingsley, Eric Billingsley,and six great grand children:Tallon Simpson, Lilly and lexi Torres, Santana Lawrence, Xavier Alonzo, and Josiah Paynter. Howard is also survived by his sister June Jacobs and nephew Mike Jacobs. Memorial services will be held at 1pm Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Ray-Winkleman Masonic Lodge, 318 Fairhaven, Kearny,AZ and at 1pm, Saturday, Feb 2 at the Payson Masonic Lodge , 200 E. Rancho, Payson AZ.