Willie Dee Billingsley, Jr.

Willie Dee Billingsley, Jr., 81, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Mission Hospital McDowell.

He was born in Franklin, Tennessee on August 03, 1940 to the late Willie Dee Billingsley, Sr. and Elizabeth Elsie Wilson Billingsley.

A loving father and grandfather, Willie was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a retired painting contractor. He enjoyed working in his garden, and traveling the world with his late wife.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Billingsley; and five sisters, Betty Jean Peay, Billie Lou Kent, Mary “Tizzie” Noles, Verna Mae Francis, and Dorothy “Dot” Van Eick.

He is survived by his four children, Christina “Tina” Meischeid (Steve), Terri Purnell Leggett, Charles “Bucky” Purnell (Toni), and David Billingsley (Julie); six grandchildren, Samantha, Beth, Ashley, Lee, Jessica, and Caroline; thirteen great grandchildren; one brother, Aubrey Billingsley (Barbara); and a brother-in-law, Bob Francis.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 12:00 noon at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with Rev. Ryan Bennett officiating. Following the service, Willie and Patricia will be inurned in the cemetery’s columbarium.