Ralph Billings
December 15, 1924 – February 21, 2013
Ralph Billings was born December 15th, 1924 to Elmer and Lela (Gentry) Billings in Nelson, Oklahoma. He passed away on February 21, 2013 at his residence in Ponca City, OK.
He attended Nelson and Strothers schools. After graduating, Ralph worked with Green Head Bit and Supply of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He entered into the US Army taking his basic training in Fort Custer Training Center in Fort Custer, Michigan, His tour of duty took him to Pearl Harbor, Anguar, Tinian, and Saipan. He served with the 724th Military Police Battalion. He was honorably discharged from the US Army on December 5, 1945 and was awarded the Bronze Star. When he resumed civilian life after being discharged from the US Army, her returned to Seminole, Oklahoma and worked in the oilfield as a roughneck and driller.
On September 24th, 1947, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Mae Headrick in Shidler, Oklahoma. The couple established their first home in Seminole, Oklahoma then moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1951, where Ralph went to work for Continental Oil Company. He was a blender of petroleum products at the time of his retirement in 1985.
His hobbies were elk hunting in Colorado and fishing in his boat. Also it was his great joy to pass out gum and candy to all the children at the Grand Avenue Church of Christ for many years where he was lovingly called “Papa Ralph.”
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather, he is survived by his wife Phyllis and two children, Carolyn Pratt of El Reno, Oklahoma and Danny Billings and his wife Dagne of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his precious grandchildren, Tamie Holbrook and husband, David of El Reno, Oklahoma; Wana Newman and husband, Kelly of Hinton, Oklahoma; Rod Ellison and wife, Candi of El Reno, Oklahoma; Sommer Baker and husband, Austin of Owasso, Oklahoma; Chris Billings and wife, Candace of Bixby, Oklahoma; Michelle Rafferty and husband, Marc of Jenks, Oklahoma; Luke and wife, Taryn of Ponca City, Oklahoma. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed each day God blessed him with. His life was inspiring and he encouraged not only his family but all who knew him, especially his church family. He was a man who touched many lives and he will be remembered for the love he shared with his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lela (Gentry) Billings; 2 sisters, Geraldene Johnsons and Wilma Boyington; one brother, Daniel J. Billings; and his precious daughter, Tinya Kay Cobb.
The funeral service was conducted on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Hartford Ave. Church of Christ with Mr. Don Huddleston officiating. Interment followed at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
