Ernest Billings

PITTSFORD—Ernest E. Billings, 68, of Pittsford, died Saturday, July 28, 2007, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.

He was born Dec. 17, 1938, in Boston, Mass., the son of Ernest J. and Helena (Tibbetts) Billings. He graduated from Brandon High School, and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He lived in Waterbury and Hancock, as well as Jacksonville, N.C., before moving to Pittsford in 2006.

He had worked for Ward Lumber Company in Waterbury, then 27 years for Ward Clapboard Mill in Moretown, before retiring in 1992. He enjoyed being with family and friends, playing cards, watching movies, fishing, hunting, camping and computers.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Billings of Pittsford; sons, James Leno of Hancock, Ernest Billings, Jr. of Barre, and Thomas Leno of Hancock; daughters, Janice Spooner of Montpelier and Brenda Clark of Orange; brothers, Jack Billings of Vergennes and Thomas Billings of Salisbury; a sister, Joyce Jennings of Hudson Falls, N.Y.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Jeff "Peanut" Leno; a brother, Richard "Dick" Billings; and a sister, Francena "Sue" Knox.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Randolph Center, with Pastor Thomas Harty officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Rutland Area Visiting Nurses-Hospice, P.O. Box 747, Rutland, Vt., 05702; or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, Vt., 05495. Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com.