1938 – 2014

WEST PARIS — David Lawrence Billings, 76, of Bethel Road in West Paris, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, Aug. 12, surrounded by his family, after a brief and intense battle with cancer.

David was born in Norway on Aug. 6, 1938, the second-oldest of 21 children. David lived in Greenwood and West Paris, before living with foster parents Orrell and Lottie Linnell in Otisfield. David was educated at Fryeburg Academy and gained a strong work ethic from the foster farms he was raised on.

He was a well-respected logger, working for many decades for contractors Maurice Benson and John Cullinan. Later in his career, David split thousands of cords of firewood by hand, working for David Graver. David was also the manager of the West Paris Transfer Station for the past 22 years.

David’s work ethic and pride in his responsibilities could be found in both his work and his hobbies. David enjoyed gardening, planting large gardens of flowers, fruits and vegetables each year, both inside and outside of his home. The bounty of his gardens was often shared with the community. Other passions included cars, dogs and brook fishing at local streams.

Christmas held a special significance for David, who carried on his late wife’s tradition of holding a Christmas Eve party for his grandchildren and other family members. David would meticulously decorate his home and gardens with lights and decorations for the holidays.

David is survived by one son, Kevin Billings and his wife, Jane, of West Paris; two daughters, Karen Cox and her husband, David, of Woodstock and Kim Airington and her husband, Michael, of Woodstock; a brother, Eric Wright, of Gray; sisters, Gloria Tillson and her husband, Don, of Belgrade Lakes, Joanne Henderson and her late husband, Tom, of West Paris, Jeannet Roakes and her husband, Don, of Bridgton, Eleanor Ryerson of West Paris, Betty Billings and Gail Billings of Eugene, Ore., Bonnie Billings of Waterford, Debbie Hartford of Rumford and Lillian Herrick of West Paris; six grandchildren, Sarah Norton of West Paris, Kara Thurlow of Bethel, Shaun Baker of Otisfield, Jonah Thurlow of Woodstock and Ryan and Sophie Billings of West Paris; two great-grandchildren, Elliot Norton and Alyssa Norton, both of West Paris; and many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to David’s caregivers, his niece, Jen Leonard, and Buddy and Michelle Henderson.

He was predeceased by his wife, Judith Russell, whom he married on Sept. 3, 1960; his parents, Lawrence and Viola Billings; foster parents, Orrell and Lottie Linnell; brothers, Dale and Wayne Billings; and sisters, Linda Fitzgerald and Jeanne Brown.