Clarence E. Billings

Clarence E. Billings, age 97, departed this life Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at Heisinger Bluffs, Jefferson City, Missouri. He was born March 11, 1917, near Anderson, Missouri, to Charles Albert Billings and Maggie Bell (Epperson) Billings. He attended rural schools of McDonald County and graduated from Anderson High School, Anderson, Missouri, in 1933. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Southwest Missouri State and a Master's of Education degree from Drury College, Springfield, Missouri. He taught school in McDonald County, Anderson High School, and Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. His career was public education: rural, high school, college, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. He gave 36 years to conservation education, 20 of those as Superintendent of Education, Missouri Department of Conservation. He received many awards for the Missouri program and national leadership in conservation education such as: the J. T. Bode award, Conservation Educator of the Year Award from the Missouri Conservation Federation, the Key Man Award from the National Conservation Education Association, and the Ernest Thompson Seton Award from the International Fish and Wildlife agencies. He served on the board of directors for the National Conservation Education Association for 16 years, four of which he was the president. In Jefferson City he served two mayors in activities for Senior Citizens. He served seven years on the Senior Nutrition Council for Jefferson City and Cole County, two years as president. He was a member of the Board of Governors and served as president of the Association of Missouri Retired State Employees. Mr. Billings was a member of the Jefferson City First United Methodist Church where he had served as president of the Men's Club, Chairman of the Pastor-Parish Committee, and the Administrative Board. He taught an adult Sunday school class many years. He was married to Christina Marie Clary on October 30, 1937, who preceded him in death on March 1, 2001. They have two children: Dr. C. David (Nancy Carter) Billings of Huntsville, Alabama and Jeanne Billings (Patrick) Roberts of Springfield, Missouri. Survivors include five grandchildren: John (Robyn) Billings of Huntsville, Alabama; Amanda Billings (Kent) Bassett of Summerfield, North Carolina; Christopher (Sumi) Roberts of Sherman Oaks, California; Kimberly Roberts (Andrew) Selders of Columbia, Missouri and Courtney Roberts (Adam) Erickson of St. Louis, Missouri. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Charles and Abigail Bassett, Clark Robert Selders, Raja M. K. Roberts, and four nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence; and sisters, Bessie, and Bertha (Alfred) Lett. Funeral Services were held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2014, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home with Chaplain Jim Mueller officiating. Interment followed in Riverview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Drury University, Clarence Billings Scholarship, c/o Alumni and Development, 900 N. Benton Ave., Springfield, MO 65802; the Christina Clary Billings Scholarship, First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe St., Jefferson City, MO 65101; or Heisinger Bluffs Benevolent Fund, 1002 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Arrangements are under the direction of the HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com