Helen Anita Billings (Hoisington)

Helen Anita Billings, 94, of Independence, MO passed away Sunday, March 20, 2016. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, April 2nd at White Oak Chapel at the Groves, Independence, MO.
Helen was born January 30, 1922 in Boise, ID as the daughter of a missionary, Leonard Guy and Helen Hattie (Bunnell) Hoisington. She was a life long member of the Community of Christ. She graduated from Washington High School, Portland, OR, from Graceland College, Lamoni, IA; AA in Liberal Arts, and from San Antonio College with an AA in Applied Science, Library Technology. She had a life-long passion for learning and knowledge, which served her well when she worked as a librarian for Graceland College and the medical library in San Antonio, TX. Helen married her beloved Virgil J. Billings on June 22, 1945. He too became an appointee minister and together they raised their family and served their church in numerous positions around the country until his death in 1979. She continued to serve the Lord, her church, and the Lamoni community after his death. She was Pastor for the congregation in Bethany, MO from 1992-97. She had a life-long passion for music and provided ministry in that capacity for numerous choirs and congregations. Helen also enjoyed providing ministry as Rainbow the Clown to children in hospitals and patients in nursing homes. Above all Helen loved her God and her family. They will remember her sweet spirit and sense of humor in all the ways that she impacted their lives.
Survivors include children, John Billings, Anita Granato (Paul), Bonnie Hidy; grandchildren, Michael (Lacey) and Leslie Granato, Pamela Rauch (David), Derrik (Gemma) and Jared Billings (Jen), Eric (Amanda), Kristina (Matt), and Craig Hidy (Emily), and fourteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, and Alice Elaine Nelson, her sister. The family encourages contributions to Outreach International in her memory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)