Mr Leon Pete Billingsley

Mr. Leon Pete Billingsley, 80, resident of Camellia Drive, slipped quietly from this life at his home surrounded by his loving family following an extended illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 2p.m. Sunday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with John Vaughan, Wendell Robinson and Jerry Daniel officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, 1224 Trotwood Ave., Columbia, TN 38401 or Central High School Football for State Championship Rings, 921 Lion Parkway, Columbia, TN, 38401. Born on October 20, 1930 in Columbus, Mississippi to Andrew and Wilda Miller Billingsley, Leon lived in Millport, Alabama until moving to Columbia in 1942. Leon graduated from Central High School where he was an outstanding football player. On June 2, 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, Dody Lawson Billingsley who survives. Mr. Billingsley retired from Monsanto in 1985 having held positions in the furnace department and as supervisor of mining operations. After retirement he was owner of The Frame Crafter Gallery where he made custom frames until 2005. He was a member of Graymere Church of Christ. Leon was an outwardly strong man with a very tender heart. He was quiet and humble and touched the lives of many. He was often referred to by those who knew him as "the sweetest man." He loved his family and always put them first. The greatest pleasure he had in life was being with family and he especially loved family dinners. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. Pete, as he was lovingly called by family and friends, always had a smile to share and a positive attitude. Leon was active in the Jaycees and Kiwanis for many years. In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by daughters, Debbie (Randy) Bratton, Karla (Dan) West both of Columbia; grandson Russ (Amber) Bratton of Jackson; granddaughter, Baylor West of Columbia; great-granddaughters Hannah and Emma Kate Bratton; sister Mrs. Clarice Whitaker of Louisville, KY; and brother Adron (Wanda) Billingsley of Murfreesboro. Pallbearers will be Jerry Daniel, Ron Bishop, Ross Whitley, John Madeya, Johnny Madeya and Jason Padgett. Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle Daniel, Vince Vinson, Vance Hendrickson, Dr. Stephen Parey, Mark Holley, Jerry Kirk, Jim Cook, Billy West, Bo Cranford, Glen Netherly, K.L. Osteen, Dana Clark, Dooley's lunch group (including Ed Cox, Terry Cook, Al Knox, Ed Lawwell, Lonnie McQuin and Larry and Henrieta Dooley) Mary Daniel, Mary Jo McGee, Danny Staggs, Doug Boehms, Tammy Hargrove, Monty Lewis, Class of 1950, and Kiwanis friends.