William D. 'Bill' Billings, 82

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - William D. "Bill" Billings of Middletown passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Trinity Mission Nursing Facility, Charlottesville. He was 82.

Mr. Billings was born in Stony Point, N.C., son of the late William and Claire Billings. He grew up in an orphanage in Barium Springs, N.C.

He graduated from Catawba College, where he earned a degree in physical education.

Mr. Billings served in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of World War II.

He was a teacher and coach for over 30 years in North Carolina and Delaware.

Most noted for his football coaching expertise, Mr. Billings was recognized as a premier coach in both North Carolina and Delaware. He won numerous state championships and coach of the year awards. He was elected to the Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and to the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He had 10 undefeated seasons in his tenure. While at Middletown, he led his first six teams to a 53-game win streak, a record that still stands today.

Mr. Billings will be remembered for the lives he touched. He instilled dedication and compassion to his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Glen Watts; and a grandson, Drake Billings.

He is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 58 years, Carol (Heatwol) Billings; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Tom Nash of Charlottesville; three sons, Herky Billings of Lewes, Ken Billings of Annapolis, Md., and Freddy Billings and his wife Lisa of Berlin, Md.; 10 grandchildren, Brendan, Mary and Katy Nash of Charlottesville, Abby and Jesse Billings of Lewes, Luke, Laura and Josh Billings of Middletown, and Rose and Claire Billings of Berlin; three sisters, Mabel Hicks of Richmond, Helen Hatcher of Chesapeake, and Evelyn Crisman of Chesapeake; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in Middletown Volunteer Hose Co., 14 S. Broad St., Middletown, where family and friends may call from two hours earlier.

Interment with military honors will be 11 a.m. Monday in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Bill Billings Scholarship Fund at Middletown High School, 120 Silver Lake Road, Middletown, DE 19709.

Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, Middletown.