Dale Billingsley

Lewis “Dale” Billingsley, of Goreville, Illinois, passed from the presence of his family to the presence of his Savior on Saturday evening, August 5, 2023, at 8:15 PM, at his home. He was 88 years old. Dale was born December 22, 1934 in Elmo, Missouri, to Ogle Samuel Billingsley and Ola Mae (Ragain) Billingsley. Dale dropped out of school in the 10th grade to avoid joining the basketball team, and stopped by a sawmill on the way home to ask for a job. After working at the sawmill, he also worked at a mental health facility and as a truck driver, before beginning his career as a wholesale representative for East Side Lumber Yard Supply Co., located in Herrin, Illinois. Dale worked for East Side for 42 years, retiring in 2007. On November 1, 1952, Dale was united in marriage to Lois Dean Perry in Jackson, Missouri. She preceded him in death on November 11, 1996. Dale was later united in marriage to Christine (Moore) McKinney on February 9, 2019 at the Spillertown Baptist Church. Dale accepted Jesus as his Savior in 1959. He entered the ministry in 1960, preaching his first sermon at Cedar Grove Church, near Buncombe. He was ordained as a pastor in 1961. He preached for over 60 years, with his final sermon being at Spillertown Baptist Church. Over those 60 years, he served as pastor at multiple churches across Southern Illinois as well as pastoring a church in East Prairie, Missouri. Dale was part of a group of founding ministers of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance. Dale is remembered for his strong work ethic and his commitment to Christ, his family, and his community. His hobbies included cattle farming, deer hunting, handyman activities, western attire, eating at Triple E Bar-B-Q and attending church functions – where he spent the majority of his time. “Try to be kind, try to be sweet.” - Dale Dale is survived by: his wife – Christine Billingsley of the Spillertown community; his children – Eddie (his wife, Sheila) Billingsley of Goreville and Paula (her husband, Charles) Atwood of Vienna; stepdaughters – Rhonda (her husband, Billy) Allen of Wichita, Kansas, Pamela (her husband, Phil) Richey of Marion, Cynthia (her husband, David) Pouk of St. Peters, Missouri; grandchildren – Sarah (her husband, Jeff) Jones, Rachel (her husband, Jason) Forby, Joshua (his wife, Jordan) Billingsley all of Goreville, and Caleb Atwood of Vienna; 8 great-grandchildren – Keegan, Kanon, and Kellan Jones, Shae (her husband, Austin) Stiff, Emma Forby, Ryder, Hayes, and Lydia Billingsley; 5 step grandchildren; 12 step great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends. He was greeted in heaven by: his parents – Ogle S. and Ola M. Billingsley; his first wife, Lois Dean Billingsley; his siblings – Ogle Ray Billingsley, Ola Mae Krueger, Louise “Bee” Carter, and Lucille Maze; a stepson – Mark Alan McKinney and a step grandson – Matthew Harpstrite. Visitation will be conducted Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 5 PM – 8 PM at the Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, 7715 Illinois State Route 37 North, Goreville, Illinois. There will be a further time of visitation Wednesday morning, August 9, 2023, from 10 AM – 11 AM Wednesday at the church, prior to the service. A Funeral Service honoring the life of Dale Billingsley will be conducted Wednesday morning, August 9, 2023, at 11 AM at Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Shea and Pastor Jeff Owens will officiate. Burial will be in the Busby Chapel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Busby Chapel Cemetery, c/o Jim Dunn, 375 Dunn Lane, Goreville, Illinois 62939, or to the Spillertown Baptist Church, 100 Spillertown Road, Marion, Illinois 62959 or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, Illinois 62959.

Dale Billingsley

December 22, 1934 - August 5, 2023