William "Bill" Andrew Billy, Sr

William Andrew Billy Sr. (Bill), passed away in his sleep on March 4, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL, just 6 days shy of his 95th birthday.

Bill was born on March 10, 1931, in Versailles (McKeesport), Pennsylvania, to Andrew and Catharine (Posick) Billy. He cherished his early years exploring the woods around Versailles and spending carefree days at Olympia Amusement Park. In June 1942, his family moved to Washington D.C. where Bill attended Central High School, graduating in 1949. He was working in the Payroll Office at Potomac Electric Power Company when he was drafted during the Korean Conflict. Bill chose to join the Navy and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, serving at NAS Jacksonville and Cecil Field. In 1955, while attached to VA‑15, he completed a world tour aboard the USS Midway. During his time in Jacksonville, Bill visited Trinity Lutheran Church, where he met and fell in love with Anne Lomax. They married in 1953 and over the years raised three of the finest sons on this earth (his words).

After graduating from Jacksonville University in 1962, Bill began his career with Linder & Co. as an independent claims adjuster. He remained with the firm until 1978, when he purchased Paul M. Durham Construction and went on to manage the company with dedication and integrity until his retirement in 1999.

Bill has always enjoyed music, singing for Harry Truman at the White House as part of his high school chorus in 1948, singing at JU and on the Midway, singing in a barbershop quartet the Metropolitans, singing in the Trinity Lutheran Church choir for 60 years and singing in the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus for 15 years during which time he proudly participated in their annual production of Handel's "Messiah".

During college and throughout his time with the Navy, Bill enjoyed playing basketball, but his true passion was golf. He distinguished himself on the course by achieving three holes‑in‑one, a point of pride among his many golfing friends. He played regularly at Ft. George with Pastor Tom Sublett, and for many years at Hyde Park alongside Art Snure, Dave Middleton, Bob Mitchell, and a wide circle of loyal golfing buddies.

Bill especially loved his home and family. He took great joy in working in his yard, where he always had something in bloom, but he was best known for his weekend cooking. His talents even earned him a feature in the Jacksonville Times‑Union in 1991, titled “Contractor says KP is his hobby,” where Anne's Aunt Ada affectionately dubbed him “Kitchen Man.” Saturday mornings in his kitchen became a cherished gathering place for his family, complete with french toast and sausage. His specialties included—chicken and dumplings, stuffed cabbage, sour cream cake, potato pancakes and icebox cookies.

Throughout the years, Bill maintained active membership in Trinity Lutheran Church and the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, as well as in the JAX Claims Association, the German American Club, and a 65 year member of the Masonic Ionic Lodge Chapter 101. He also distinguished himself as a 15‑gallon blood donor.

Bill was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 65 years, Anne; his sister, Lillian McDaniel; and his brothers‑in‑law, Elwood McDaniel and Tom Bowen. He is survived by his three sons and their families: William Jr. (Kären), and daughters Amanda Reilly (Patrick) and Rachel Billy; Chris (Krissy), and son Tyler Smith (Hailey) and great‑grandsons Grayson and Oliver; and Kyle (Janice), and son Robert, great‑grandsons Finnegan and Milo, daughter Jillian Litchfield (Eddy) and great‑grandsons Noah and Owen. He is also survived by his sister, Marlene Bowen, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly.

Special thanks for the wonderful, caring staff at Windsor Ortega and also NE Florida Community Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1415 S. McDuff Ave. Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or Community Hospice of NE Florida.