Eugene Billo, 85, of Crestline, died Sunday, March 22, 2015 at his home. He had been in failing health since August.
Gene was born in Acme, WV on July 7, 1929 to the late Pietro and Maria (Bertelli) Billo. He married Billie R. Weekley on March 20, 1953 and she survives him.
He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Crestline. He was retired from Peabody Galion after working 25 years as a welder. He also owned an asphalt and paving company with his son Phil. A veteran of the United States Navy and the United States Army, he served in Korea. Gene was a member of Task Force Smith, which was the first Army unit to engage the North Korean Army at the onset of the war. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, with valor and with oak leaf cluster, for having been awarded the Bronze Star a second time. Gene received a Presidential Unit Citation from the United States and a Korean Presidential Unit Citation from the Republic of Korea, which is given to units of the Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy. He was proud to have served his country in two branches of the armed forces and to have served in time of war. Gene was quick to remind others that “Freedom is not Free”. He made sure that his family got to visit the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. during its dedication.
Gene had many interests: fishing, boating, hunting and being with his many friends. But his favorite activity was watching his children and grandchildren in their various sports. His encouragement, unconditional love and acceptance were life changing. He would want to be remembered, in his words, as “the luckiest man in the world”.
He is survived by his son and four daughters: Cynthia and Hugh O’Donnell, Cincinnati, Kathy and Michael O’Mara, Raleigh, NC, Theresa and Michael Rote, San Diego, CA, Phillip and Trudee Billo, Galion, Billie Jo “B.J.” and Tim Mahek, Mansfield; eight grandchildren: Caitlin O’Donnell, Christine O’Donnell, David Kenney, Zack Kenney, Emily Rote, Joseph Rote, Danielle Mahek and Nicholas Mahek, two great granddaughters Willow Kenney and Lilith Kenney and his brother Russell Billo, Weatherford, TX.
He was preceded in death by his infant sister Mary Billo and his sisters Lucy Billo, Jessica Licata, Nancy Boyer and his brothers James, Christopher “Toto”, Tony and Joseph “Karo” Billo.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, 223 W. Main St., Crestline. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday March 27, 2015 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Crestline, with Rev. Christopher Bohnsack, Celebrant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Crestline where full military honors will be given by the U.S. Army and the Galion/ Crestline Veterans Military Funeral detail.
The Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Eugene Billo.
Online condolences may be made to the family at masfh.com
