SOUTHWEST HARBOR - Raymond E. Billings, 81, of Southwest Harbor passed away October 28, 2015 at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 6, 1934 in Southwest Harbor, the son of Elmer “Cobb” and Gaynell (Murphy) Billings.
Raymond graduated from Pemetic High School, class of 1952. Following graduation, he worked in the family sawmill in Seawall making lobster traps for several years and then went on to work for James Hook Lobster Company in Boston MA. During his time, he met and married Janice McClellan. In 1956 he entered the US Army and was stationed in Chinon, France where Janice joined him for a year. Upon their return, they settled in Southwest Harbor, where they built a home and raised a family. Raymond worked for Joseph Klausky Lobsters, for several years before starting RE Billings Transport in 1978. Raymond built the business from a one-man owner operator to a large trucking company with his second wife Carolyn Dyer, carrying a variety of loads all over the country. He always loved being on the road, and made many lifelong friends along the way. After retiring from full time trucking, Raymond enjoyed working on his land in Seawall. He would make trips deep into the woods on his John Deere tractor to cut logs for firewood, which he split and sold to campers in the summer. Raymond was known for his MacGyver-type ingenuity and his strong work ethic which he instilled in his children. He was a great story teller and was a fixture at the Kozy Kove most mornings with his lifelong friends for coffee.
As years went by, his former wives and friends, Janice Billings Roberts and Carolyn Dyer, along with Gordon (Bunny) Roberts helped care and support him as his health began to decline. This enabled him to still enjoy the things he loved, right up until his passing.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his two brothers, Richard and Harold Billings. He is survived by his two loving children Brian Billings of Westminster, MA and daughter Barbara Billings McCormack of Virginia Beach, VA., His grandchildren Jacob Aidoock, Maxwell McCormack, Dylan, Kyle, Reid and Riley Billings, Kevin Dyer Jr., Michelle Fagan-Dyer, Jessica Fernandez, and Amanda Dyer, many cousins including a special cousin Margaret Mitchell of Holden and many friends.
His family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Edward Gilmore at MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor and the staff at Courtland Rehabilitation Center for their outstanding care. A celebration of life memorial service will be held 4 pm, Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at the Tremont Congregational Church with Rev. Wayne Buchanon presiding. Those who wish to make a donation in Raymond's memory may do so to At Home Downeast , PO Box 1107 Blue Hill, ME 04614 or online at www.athomedowneast.org, or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Raymond graduated from Pemetic High School, class of 1952. Following graduation, he worked in the family sawmill in Seawall making lobster traps for several years and then went on to work for James Hook Lobster Company in Boston MA. During his time, he met and married Janice McClellan. In 1956 he entered the US Army and was stationed in Chinon, France where Janice joined him for a year. Upon their return, they settled in Southwest Harbor, where they built a home and raised a family. Raymond worked for Joseph Klausky Lobsters, for several years before starting RE Billings Transport in 1978. Raymond built the business from a one-man owner operator to a large trucking company with his second wife Carolyn Dyer, carrying a variety of loads all over the country. He always loved being on the road, and made many lifelong friends along the way. After retiring from full time trucking, Raymond enjoyed working on his land in Seawall. He would make trips deep into the woods on his John Deere tractor to cut logs for firewood, which he split and sold to campers in the summer. Raymond was known for his MacGyver-type ingenuity and his strong work ethic which he instilled in his children. He was a great story teller and was a fixture at the Kozy Kove most mornings with his lifelong friends for coffee.
As years went by, his former wives and friends, Janice Billings Roberts and Carolyn Dyer, along with Gordon (Bunny) Roberts helped care and support him as his health began to decline. This enabled him to still enjoy the things he loved, right up until his passing.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his two brothers, Richard and Harold Billings. He is survived by his two loving children Brian Billings of Westminster, MA and daughter Barbara Billings McCormack of Virginia Beach, VA., His grandchildren Jacob Aidoock, Maxwell McCormack, Dylan, Kyle, Reid and Riley Billings, Kevin Dyer Jr., Michelle Fagan-Dyer, Jessica Fernandez, and Amanda Dyer, many cousins including a special cousin Margaret Mitchell of Holden and many friends.
His family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Edward Gilmore at MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor and the staff at Courtland Rehabilitation Center for their outstanding care. A celebration of life memorial service will be held 4 pm, Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at the Tremont Congregational Church with Rev. Wayne Buchanon presiding. Those who wish to make a donation in Raymond's memory may do so to At Home Downeast , PO Box 1107 Blue Hill, ME 04614 or online at www.athomedowneast.org, or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
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