Judith Rae Billings

Judith Rae Billings, 82, of Peru passed away on August 17, 2017 in Ottawa Pavilion.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in La Salle with Rev. John Crist. Burial will be in Peru City Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30 to 7:00 PM Monday in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle.

Mrs. Billings was born in Streator on September 23, 1934 to Raymond A. and Leona (Karlosky) Hart. She graduated from La Salle-Peru Township, where she was active in music, performed in three operettas, and sang the lead in her senior year in “The Mikado.” She attended Indiana University where she sang in “The Belles of Indiana,” the school’s national touring choir. Mrs. Billings was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She transferred to Illinois Wesleyan University in 1955 and sang in the collegiate choir. She graduated with a degree in Vocal Music and Elementary Education in 1957.

Mrs. Billings married Robert A. Billings on August 17, 1957 in Trinity United Church of Christ in La Salle. She taught school in the Peru Elementary School for fourteen years. She also volunteered for the Lighted Way Association as a teacher. Mrs. Billings was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in La Salle, where she sang in the choir and served as choir director for both the junior and senior choirs. She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Churchwomen and served as President and Chairperson for many of its fundraising events. Mrs. Billings was also a lifelong member of Deer Park Country Club. She served on the Ladies Organization Board of Directors. An ardent golfer, she was Ladies Club Champion for six years at Deer Park and competed in the Illinois Valley Women’s Tournament. She belonged to a number of Bridge clubs.

Mrs. Billings is survived by her daughter Jennifer Rae (Michael) Porter of Oglesby; three grandsons Justin, Ryan, and Brayden Porter; and cousins in Streator.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert on January 21, 2015.

Memorials may be directed to her church.

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