JOHN BILLINGSLEY

John Ernest Billingsley, 75 of McAlester died Thursday February 24, 2022 in McAlester. The family will greet friends and relatives 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday March 1, 2022 at Bishop Chapel of Memories officiated by Bill and Cathy Barber. Burial will follow at Tannehill Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Navy Honors Team. Pallbearers will be, Tommy Darden, Don Winters, Caleb Roberson, Jake Dellinger, Mike Ketchum, Shane Evans, and Ryan Scott; Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Barlow, Joe Scott and fellow members of the Forman, Arkansas and Ashdown, Arkansas Mason Lodges. John Ernest was born to Charles Winchell “Buck” and Ritta Mae (McCauley) Billingsley on August 15, 1946 in McAlester. He graduated from McAlester High School in 1965 then joined the U.S. Navy. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War on the U.S. S. Kitty Hawk. John graduated from Okmulgee Tech. He married Mary F. Sanders on March 5th, 1977 in McAlester. They moved to Ashdown, Arkansas. John worked as a long haul and over the road truck driver. He then worked as a truck driver for Little River County in Arkansas, retiring in 2000. John and Mary returned to McAlester in 2005. He was a member of Peaceable Community Church. John had served on the board of directors for Calvary Christian Fellowship in Ashdown, Arkansas. John was a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the Rocky Comfort Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite and Shriners. He was also a member of the Krebs Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion in Ashdown, Arkansas. John enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, camping and attending blue grass festivals. John was preceded in death by his parents, Buck and Ritta Billingsley; grandmothers, Ruth Marsten and Georgia Welsh; grandfather, Winchell Billingsley. John is survived by his wife, Mary “Billye” Billingsley of the home; daughter, Norma Dellinger and husband, Will; son, J.W. Billingsley; grandchildren, Haylee Roberson and husband, Caleb, Jake Dellinger, Linsey Dellinger, Kaley Billingsley, Hannah Billingsley; great grandsons, JoJo Roberson and Bitty Hance all of McAlester; special friend, Treisa Townes of Macomb; sisters, Nina Billingsley of Texarkana, USA, Ritta Pell of Billingsley Corner, Arkansas; brother, Joe Billingsley and wife, Rhonda of Midland, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Beverly Wilkins and husband Jerry of Gatesville, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.