Lon M. Billings, USAF Retired

Lon M. Billings, 90 of Charleston, South Carolina, peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Born on September 13, 1931, in Sparta, NC., he was the eldest son of the late Ruby Billings (McCoin) and Alonzo Billings.

A lifelong fascination with airplanes began when he was a young boy. As he learned about them, he built models that adorned his childhood bedroom ceiling. Upon graduating from high school, Lon proudly went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years. Throughout his time of service, his area of expertise was dedicated to Communications and Cryptography. It was during his assignment near London that he met and married his late wife, Sheila. They established their growing family with their daughter Susan and many beloved pets as they navigated around the world. After numerous moves, they retired in Charleston, SC and Lon began a lengthy second career in insurance claims.  Lon prided himself on his family; elated to become a Daddy, “DaDa”, and a “Great-DaDa”, which were the highlights of his life. While Charleston had become home, Lon enjoyed returning to the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains to spend time with family and reminisce over the tranquil sounds of Bluegrass riffs and the memories of homemade biscuits. He was known to pick up his guitar now and then and loved playing with family members on those trips. Later, he would pick out songs to entertain his grandchildren. He cherished these nostalgic memories and proudly shared them with his beloved family.

Lon is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Sheila, his parents, Alonzo and Ruby Billings, his brothers, James Billings and Cecil Ray Billings, and his uncle, John McCoin, who was more of a brother.

Lon is survived by his daughter Susan L. Billings, Granddaughter Brenna L. Lamprey, Grandson W. Jared Billings (Chelsea), and Great Granddaughter Olivia (“Ollie”) Helen Billings.  Additional beloved family members include his sister Shirley Billings Waddell (Jim), Sisters in Law Linda Billings and Norma Billings, Nieces Vicki Waddell (and son Capt. Evan Lowe), Karen Burns (Jeff) (and daughters Emma Burns, Robyn Russell, and Kelly Montgomery), Nephew Jimmy Waddell (Lynn) (daughter Aly Meiggs and son Jake Smith) and Niece Kim Wooten (Eddie) (son Joshua Wooten and daughter Kayley Wooten).  He is also survived by his paternal Aunts Ethlene Pruitt and Irene Johnson, as well as a bouquet of cherished great-great-grandnieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home on James Island, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, located at 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

The funeral mass will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church (2827 Wheat St. Columbia, SC) on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 10:30 am followed by burial at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Helpers, 1447 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC  29412.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at McAlister- smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - James Island Chapel. 843-614-8494