Morris "Ike" Billingsley

Morris LeRoy “Ike” Billingsley, 93, of Camden, passed away at 5:08 AM, Monday, June 29, 2020, at his home.

He was born on December 8, 1926, in Salem Township, McDonough County, Illinois, the son of Clarence Arthur and Gladys Cornelia (Morris) Billingsley.  He married Helen Marie Norvell on March 9, 1957, at the Mt. Sterling First United Methodist Parsonage in Mt. Sterling.

Surviving are his wife Marie, three children Mike Fretueg and wife Marian of Rushville, Teresa Haines and husband Brian of Huntsville and Doug Billingsley and wife Becky of Camden, ten grandchildren Michelle Pate and husband Matt, Beau Fretueg and wife Rachelle, Greg Fretueg and wife Whitney, Quentin Haines and wife Kristina, Daphne Ingles and husband Andy, Lacey Crumrine and husband Tim, Stoney Haines and wife Kayla, Alison Ruth and husband Josh, Erin Rechner and husband Jason, and Nicholas Billingsley, 19 great grandchildren Maddox and McKinley Pate, Reed, Bennett, and Carter Fretueg, Breeley, Kinsley and Bridger Haines, Nolan and Jon Ingles, Cecylia Crumrine, Carsyn and Caydence Taylor, Callan Haines, Keaton, Kellen and Keeley Ruth, Rena and Odin Rechner, siblings Rosalie Morrell of Quincy, Betty Etter and husband Bill of Rushville, Barbara Taylor and husband Dick of Burlington, Iowa, and Wayne Billingsley and wife Twila of Crossville, Tennessee, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Alberta Billingsley, and Judy Peterman both of Rushville, Clara Billingsley of Industry, Margie Ackers of Columbus, Ohio, Jim Norvell and wife Diane of Springfield, Dan Norvell and wife Shirley of Townsend, Montana, Dewey Norvell and wife Maggie of Kirkland, Barbara John of Albany, Georgia, Dave Norvell and wife Kathy of Wildwood, Missouri, Jerry Norvell and wife Sue of Abingdon, Patsie Hopkins and husband Eddie of Sherman, Cheryl Bent and husband Gary of Petersburg, and Raymond Charles “Chuck” Norvell of Albany, Georgia and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clarence E. “Buss” Billingsley and wife Imogene, James “Rude” Billingsley and wife Birdie, Robert Billingsley and wife Harriet, Lester “Abe” , Billingsley, Harold Billingsley and Donald Billingsley, sister Lucille Finch and husband Adrian, brothers-in-law Kenneth Ackers, Elmer A. “Tony” Norvell, and Morris Morrell, and sister-in-law Janice Norvell.

Ike first worked as a bulldozer operator for Morris Morrell in Camden.  He then served as a Sergeant in the United States Army in Korea from November 29, 1950 to September 27, 1952, earning the Korean Service Metal with two Bronze Stars.  After the war, he worked for a short time at International Harvester in Canton. He would then become a grain and livestock farmer partially retiring in 2010.  He was awarded the Master Farmer Award by the Schuyler Ag Day Committee in 2015. In addition to his cattle, he raised a variety of pheasants, Canadian geese, and wood ducks.  He enjoyed hunting deer, raccoons and especially turkey.  He and Marie enjoyed line dancing. He liked listening to Bluegrass music. His favorite pastime was searching for arrowheads and metal detecting.  He attended the Camden United Methodist Church and was a member of the Schuyler American Legion Post #4.  His family was his most treasured possession.

Due to the current health crisis a private service for family members will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with Pastor Dan Wise officiating.  Friends are invited to stop at the funeral home to sign the register book, leave a memorial and pay their respects from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville. Interment will follow in the Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery, with military rites by the US Army Burial Detail and the American Legion.  Memorials are suggested to Cass-Schuyler Area-Hospice, Hope Blooms, Camden United Methodist Building Fund or Culbertson Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarship Fund.