Obituary of Ruth Ella Billings

Ruth E. Billings, 91, of Eau Claire, passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on June 12, 1930, to the late Gottlieb and Ella (Schlegal) Fecho. Ruth graduated from Eau Claire High school, where she was the class valedictorian. On August 21, 1948, she married Carol “Stink” Billings at the Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Michigan. To that union, three children were born. Ruth worked in the newspaper industry at the Tradelines in Eau Claire for many years, she started out in the paper assembly department, went on to manage the paper for a short time, and retired as the newspaper proofreader. Ruth was a great woman of faith; her days always began with a devotional, and spending time in prayer. You would often find her spending her quiet moments reading or quilting. Her most treasured moments were spent with family; she never missed a sporting event that her children, grandchildren, and later her great-grandchildren were involved in. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Carol “Stink” Billings; daughter, Diane Atkins; daughter-in-law, Sue Billings; brothers, Reinhold “Rhine” Fecho, Robert Fecho, Ralph Fecho; and one granddaughter. Ruth is survived by her children; Alan Billings of Dowagiac; Deborah (Norbert) Shembarger of Eau Claire; son-in-law, Claude Atkins of Port Richey, Florida; sister Rita(Gale) Hokenson of Eau Claire; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 2, 2022, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Caldwell Cemetery in Eau Claire. Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church or to Caring Circle Hospice. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. Link to the livestream of her service. https://portal.midweststreams.com/services/watch/2gbSN66S54