Lowell “Eddie” Edwin Billingsley, age 98, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday July 27, 2023, at his home.
He was born on January 30, 1925, in Mt. Erie, Illinois, the son of Roy and Rosalee (Mayo) Billingsley. Eddie grew up at the end of the Roaring Twenties and the beginning of the Great Depression to parents who were tenant farmers. He was the youngest of four children. Life was very difficult, and all the children had to work long hours just for the family to survive. The struggles of his childhood instilled his lifelong mentality of “Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without”.
He was drafted into the army in 1943 at the age of 18. While stationed in Germany he met Emma “Molly” Clara Neubold. They were united in marriage on November 18, 1947, in Ludwigsburg, Germany. At that time, they were required to be married three times, by German authorities, by American authorities, and in Molly’s family church. All ceremonies took place in Germany. A few years after the end of WWII, they moved to Flora, Illinois. From this union, two sons were born. Molly’s sister, Trudy Newbold, came over from Germany to help them and became part of the family a year after their eldest son was born. Eddie and Molly remained devoted to each other and married for 73 years until Molly passed in 2020.
In the early years, Eddie ran the town theater at night and worked at Spartan’s during the day. As time went on, Eddie and Molly started Billingsley Electric and worked together to make it a success. Eddie was an electrician specializing in air conditioning and refrigeration, while Molly took care of the business appointments, ordering and billing. They also co-owned and operated the Country Squire clothing store. In 1975 they bought the Flora Dairy Queen from Gene and Ruth Watson and Molly ran it. Their electrical business continued till 1977 when it was sold to Fred Randall. Eddie then worked at the DQ full time. In early 1979, Eddie was hired as Plant Engineer for Hella North America. He oversaw the construction of the buildings as well as setting up and managing all the equipment. Construction was completed on January 1, 1980, when Hella was officially opened for business. After operating the DQ for nearly 10 years, Eddie sold the business to his son David in 1984. In 1985, Eddie and David opened the Rax Restaurant, in which Molly worked full-time cooking and managing the “Endless Salad Bar”. In November 1997, Rax closed, and renovations were performed to re-open it as a Burger King in the following year.
When he wasn’t serving the Flora Community, Eddie enjoyed being home with his family. There is no doubt his greatest joy in life was spending time with Molly. They loved to water ski and dance with friends. Eddie and Molly enjoyed creating beautiful artwork out of stained glass and wood working. They also liked playing golf. He was so thrilled when he made a hole-in-one. He and Molly were members of Red Brush Christian Church.
He is survived by his son: Richard and wife Cathy (Zink) Billingsley of Mesquite, NV; daughter-in-law: Melissa Beert of Flora; grandchildren: Jonathon Billingsley and wife Jesteen of Flora, Tristan Billingsley of St Louis, MO, and Chynna Billingsley LoRusso and husband Josiah of Kirkwood, MO; several great-grandchildren; two sister-in-laws: Trudy Newbold of Flora and Karin Neubold Boerner of Ludwigsburg Germany; and a nephew: Rudiger Bruesch of Muelacker, Germany.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Molly Billingsley; a son; David Billingsley; a grandson; Tony Billingsley; and a sister-in-law; Hilde Neubold Bruesch.
The family would like to extend a very special and warm thank you to his VA Care Team, VA sponsored care givers from Help at Home Fairfield, IL, Donna Smith, and the Clay County Hospice. Their loving and tender care of Eddie was truly a godsend.
A public visitation will be held on August 3, 2023, from 5-7pm. A private funeral ceremony will be held with entombment in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Hospice, VFW Post 399 or the American Legion and will be accepted through the funeral home.