James “Jim” Albert Billings

1938-2022

James “Jim” Albert Billings, 83, of Keokuk, IA died Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Southeast Iowa
Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.
He was born May 14, 1938 in Keokuk, IA the son of Albert and Dorothy Billings. Jim graduated
from Keokuk High School with the Class of 1956.
Jim was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves and was called up during the Vietnam War.
On December 27, 1961 Jim was united in marriage to Judy Boyer at Emmanuel United Methodist
Church in Keokuk. She survives.
Other survivors include one brother, Kenny Billings of Keokuk, four sisters, Janet Rossi of Florida,
Mary Smith (Carroll) of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Jean Logsdon (John) of Argyle, IA and Kathy Young (Jim)
of Burlington, IA, sister-in-law, Carol Sue Billings of Keokuk, brothers and sisters-in-law, Steve and
Janet Gregory of Florida and Wayne and Linda Boyer of South Dakota, many nieces, nephews, great-
nieces, great-nephews and several great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, three brothers, Ed, Wayne and Oscar and
one brother-in-law, Donald Boyer.
Jim became a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church at an early age and had served on the
church board for several years. He was also a member of IH National and IH Chapter #5 of Iowa since
1993 and the Three Rivers Tractor Club.
He had been employed by Sunbeam Bakery as a mechanic. He later had been employed by
Fruehauf /Wabash Trailers for a total of thirty-three years.
Jim was an antique tractor collector. He and his brother restored many tractors and worked on
tractors for others. Every year Jim took part in the Three Rivers Tractor Ride, the Lake Argyle Tractor
Show, the Western Illinois Thresher’s show and also participated in the Labor Day Parade.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA
with Pastor Dave Barrett officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Keokuk National
Cemetery.
Visitation will be held after 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home with family meeting with
friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to IH Chapter #5 of Iowa or Three Rivers Tractor Club or the Emmanuel
United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com