Terry Lee Billings

Terry was born in Long Beach, California, and grew up in various parts of California. He lived in many places including Ohio, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas before settling in Arkansas. He liked how laid back the people of the Natural State were and he knew he had found his earthly home. Terry had many jobs from working for Stetson in Texas, helping build many of the homes in the Chenal area of Little Rock. He was also a Finish Carpenter. He went on to work for Kohler Corporation for 27 years and was a member of the United Auto Workers Union (UAW).

Terry was called to serve The Lord not long after he was saved. He studied fervently, The Word of God, and shortly after God led him to pastor churches that were struggling.  He loved the churches he served and preached many revivals along his journey.  He also did mission work in Mexico.  

Later in life, he along with his wife, felt called to serve The Lord by helping foster children and hurt children who were at risk. Terry was a Master Mason at the Masonic Lodge of McRae, then of Kensett when the two lodges merged as one.

Terry is preceded in death by one son, Matthew Guy Billings, Great-Grandson, Jonathon Knox Dunn, Mother, Halcyon Arevalo, Step Father, William Craig, Grandparents, Floyd and Grace Smith, who had an influence on Terry as parents, along with his uncle Jimmy and Aunt Molly. Uncles and Aunts, Jimmie and Molly, Chick and Mary, and now Aunt Nita Smith who was reunited with Terry, just four days after his passing.

Terry is survived by his wife, Carla (Cavin) Billings, Sons, Jesse Billings and Jonathan (Andrea) Dunn, Step-son, Logan (Bonnie) Weatherly, bonus daughter, Emily (David) Tyler, grandchildren, Megan Dunn, Jonathan “Braiden” Dunn, Skyla Shea Friesen, Brother, Willie (Mary) Craig, Sister, Robin McDonald, Uncle Charlie, and many cousins, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and all his Brothers and Sisters he rode with while serving His Lord.  

The family will hold a visitation on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 1st Baptist Church in McRae, Arkansas at 11:30 am with services following at 1:00 p.m. Please sign the online guestbook at sullivanfuneralcare.com

Terry was kind to most everyone he knew and even those he didn’t know. He wasn’t kind to child abusers, women abusers, or animal abusers.

He liked smart people because he could learn from them and communicate easily with them.

He had little patience for disrespect, liars, thieves, and stupidity. Not to be confused with ignorance or disabilities. He had all the patience and love in the world for them. 

He had a gigantic heart for children because of the many things their innocence could teach us adults who often get too busy to see the beauty in the simple things or things we might consider small. He paid close attention to children’s words and actions because he learned even more from them than smart or educated people. Babies, children, and young adults drew him in and he always wanted give them something special to show his appreciation for them taking time with an old man. 

If he called you Brother or Sister, he was true to you and expected you to be equally true. Some of his greatest disappointments were finding out others didn’t live up to those commitments. Some of his greatest joys were learning who a true Brother or Sister was.  That took time. 

Terry’s life was colorful, to say the least, and I used to wonder how he could talk about some of his past without shame.  Then one day when we were down at the river offering clothes and personal products to the homeless people, I watched the men who came up to him, and some women too.  He spoke about the parts he could tell with ease because it was his testimony. It was proof that the Blood of Christ was as powerful as the Word of God's promises. It was then I understood who my husband had been and who he had become once he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  From that day on I was never bothered by his story. 

Terry would want me to acknowledge some younger people who not only touched his life, but made him a better man.

Logan McClelland who, along with Patrick Connell helped fill a void his heart had since his son Matthew died suddenly many years ago.  

Robin Connell, whom he believed was the epitome of a true lady

JerBear Martin, who fights every day for his life, and his big sister Allysa Martin

Zoe Ragsdale whose only request for her birthday was to have Boots there. Those two had a sweet connection when she was a tiny girl and that never left him.

And his grandchildren by love Olivia Connell and Caleb Connell. He could spend forever with them and I suppose he will, in their hearts and the hearts of everyone who loved them.