Wendell Kenneth "Sonny" Billings Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wendell Kenneth (Sonny) Billings, 88, was called home to eternal rest on Monday May 9, 2016, at Chestnut Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Passaic, NJ. He had been in declining health after suffering a stroke on December 23, 2015. Born in Newark, New Jersey on March 14, 1928, he was the only child of Wendell and Alice Thigpen Billings. He proudly served his country in the US Air Forces during the War World II from 1945 to 1948, he was a Commander, Chaplin, Treasurer and Quarter Master of VFW Post 10117, he concluded his tour of duty in 1948 and lived in Newark and then Passaic for his adult life, until moving to Garfield in 2003. He spent his childhood years in Belleville NJ and Newark, NJ. He was employed by Ford Motor Company and then for over thirty years by Edler & Sons Bakery Supply of Patterson, NJ. Wendell is predeceased by his wife, Gertrude Norman Billings to whom he had been married for 54 years at the time of her passing in 2014. Cherishing his memories are one daughter, Lenora (Charles) Billings-Harris of Greensboro NC; two sons, Arthur (Andrea) Billings of Odenton MD; Tracy Billings of Haledon NJ; five grandchildren, Mia, Ty, Rebekah, Tracee and Briana; and four great grandchildren, Jaquez, Jace, Isabella-Erilee, and Malia; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many special friends. Sonny Billings, as he was affectionately known, lived a rich, purposeful and caring life of service to family, friends and his savior. He was member and Trustee at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and former member and Trustee of Calvary Baptist Church and The Masonic Lodge of Hackensack, NJ.

Wendell Kenneth "Sonny" Billings

March 14, 1928 - May 9, 2016