Kathleen Ruth Becker Billings

1948 - 2016  (67 years)

• Name	Kathleen Ruth Becker Billings
  Born	28 Oct 1948	Fort Riley, Geary County, Kansas
  Gender	Female
  Died	2 May 2016	Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina
  Buried	6 May 2016	Whitehead-Jones Cemetery, Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina
  Person ID	I1846	Rossville
  Last Modified	29 Nov 2019

  
  

  Father	William H Becker,   b. 19 Apr 1926, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas ,   d. 3 Mar 2008, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 81 years)
  Mother	Dorothy M Jenkins Becker,   b. 5 Dec 1925, Rea, Andrew County, Missouri ,   d. 27 Sep 2004, Rossville, Shawnee County, Kansas  (Age 78 years)
  Married	7 Mar 1953	Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Documents		Anniversary- Becker, Bill and Dorothy Golden Anniversary for Beckers Bill and Dorothy Becker, Rossville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a family dinner. Dorothy Jenkins and Bill Becker were married in the Central Park Christian Church Chapel March 7, 1953. Their three children and spouses are Steve and Sharon Becker, Golden, CO., Kathy and Jim Billings, Topeka, and Patty and Lee McQueen, Vilonia, AR. They have three grandchildren, Lori and Ken Murphy, Topeka, Megan McQueen and Kurt McQueen, Vilonia, AR; and two great-grandchildren, Emma and D.J. Murphy, Topeka. Bill served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine in the South Pacific during World War II. He worked as an auto body man in Topeka for 12 years, as an auto damage appraiser for seven years, and retired from his own business, Becker’s Appraisal, in 1988 after 13 years. Dorothy worked as a legal secretary for 30 years and as Administrative Assistant for Judge Joe H. Swinehart of the Kansas Court of Appeals for nine years and Chief Judge Bob Abbott of the Kansas Court of Appeals for three years, retiring in 1988. They lived in Topeka until 1955, when they moved to the country east of Rossville, where they still reside. Bill and Dorothy Becker are happy and a bit surprised to realize they’ve been married 50 years. “What were the chances of meeting my true love?” ponders Dorothy. “In the 1950s, I was a transplant from Missouri to Topeka, a divorced mother with two small children and no support from my former spouse.” Bill, who was born in Topeka, lived in Seattle at the time. Dorothy worked with his sister in a law office. “He was also divorced, and she kept saying we were perfect for each other!” writes Dorothy. They met in May, when Bill returned to Topeka. He met her children “and promptly fell in live with them,” says Dorothy. “By September, we were dating; by October, we were very much in love.” They married on March 7, 1953. Bill adopted Dorothy’s children and raised them as his own, along with their third child. “I think I fell in love with him because of his sense of humor and the fun we have always had together,” writes Dorothy. “We are both independent, but we never let that get in the way of our devotion for each other. “We were 27 when we married and never expected to have 50 years together. When we married, Bill said there would not be another divorce, and that is how we lived. We settled any problems and worked them out. It’s been a wonderful 50 years.” Note: Photo of couple in the news clip
  Family ID	F480	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	James L Billings
  Married	10 Dec 1972	Homestead, Miami-Dade County, Florida
  Children	1. Daniel Billings   2. Michelle Billings May   3. Frank Billings   4. Lori Billings van Immerzeel
  Last Modified	8 Dec 2019 22:52:34
  Family ID	F4028	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Documents

  Obituary- Billings, Kathleen Kathleen “Kathy” Ruth Becker Billings, 67, of Sparta, NC passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 in her home after a short illness. Kathy was born October 28, 1948 in Ft. Riley, KS to William H. and Dorothy Jenkins Becker. Kathy grew up in rural Kansas, attending school in Rossville, KS and graduated from Rossville High School in 1966. Upon graduation she took a job at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas in Topeka, where she later returned to work when they moved back to the area in the mid-80’s. Her career also included positions as Marina office manager in Homestead, FL; the Melville Shoe Company and M & M Drugs in Sparta. Kathy accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at age 15. She was a member of the Whitehead Union Baptist Church and served as it's Clerk. Kathy was an unassuming, kind, loving and determined person, who was always ready to lend a heart and a hand. Her smile and sense of humor lightened anyone’s load. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed. Kathy married James L. Billings on December 10, 1972 in Homestead, FL. He preceded her in death. Other survivors include one brother, Steven Becker (Sharon) of Lakewood, CO; one sister, Patty McQueen (Lee) of Kearney, NE; one son, Daniel Billings (Dina) of Winter Park, FL; one daughter, Michelle May (Grant Melon) of Homestead, FL; one son-in-law Ron van Immerzeel of Santa Clara, CA; 9 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two sister-in-law’s, Reba Wyatt and Doris Dotson both of Glade Valley; one brother-in-law Kyle Jordan of Ennice; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a son, Frank Billings and a daughter, Lori Billings van Immerzeel. Services will be held at Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta at 2pm Friday, May 6. Elder Allen Edwards and Elder Gwyn Hamm will officiate. Visitation will begin at 1pm. Internment will be at the Whitehead-Joines Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Whitehead Church Road Fund and may be left/sent in care of the funeral home, 789 Grandview Drive, Sparta, NC 28675. Online condolences may be made at www.grandviewfuneralhome.com.