Clarence McKinley Billings Mr. Clarence McKinley Billings, age 100, of Thurmond, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. Mr. Billings was born March 8, 1907 in Wilkes County to Lewis and Sarah Spicer Billings. Mr. Billings served his country through contract military duties in Jacksonville, NC. Mr. Billings known for his dedication to hard work began his lifetime of public labor in several areas including the Civil Conservation Corps CCC where as a young man he provided for his family by working on the Blue Ridge Parkway project. His most proud working accomplishments came from his work for Mr. Thurmond Chatham and Chatham Manufacturing Company where he worked until age 82. Mr. Billings was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Pruitt Billings, a daughter, Erma Billings Wood, and sisters, Martha Billings and Erma Vanhoy. Survivors include his son Ira Billings and wife Joyce of Thurmond, a daughter Nancy Crouse of Hays; five grandchildren, Priscilla Wood of Elkin, Jeannette Hendrick and husband Frank of Elkin, Anita Canter and husband Dennis of Traphill, Shelton Wood and Carol of Myrtle Beach, SC and Gray Hamby. Also surviving are eight great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Foundation, PO Box 560, Elkin, NC 28621. Mr. Billings enjoyed the religious services and time spent with staff and visitors at Heritage Care and Elkin Healthcare. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Steve Erlandson and Dr. Farah Abdulsalam and the third floor nursing staff of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital for their love and devotion to "PaPa" and his family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Hodges Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Rob Holladay, Rev. Jamie Wood and Dr. Bill Johnson. Burial will follow at Roaring Gap Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the Billings family.
