Served with Rattlers & Firebirds in: 66-67
Died: 15 September 2008
Cause: Heart Attack

Randall W. Billings Sr., 62, died Sept. 15, 2008, at a Bangor
hospital. He was born June 4, 1946, the son of Sheridan and Muriel (Conary)
Billings. Randy graduated from Deer Isle High School in 1964.

In 1965 he entered the Army and joined the ranks of Army warrant officer
and pilot flying UH-1 Huey Helicopters, serving in Vietnam in the 501 Aviation
Battalion 71st Aviation Assault Unit, known as the Rattlers and Firebirds of
the Americal Div., serving in Bien Hoa and Chu La, South Vietnam. Randy received
the Distinguished Flying Cross, 39 Air Medals, three with V Device for Valor,
and many more citations. Upon his return to the U.S., he served as an Army
instructor pilot in Texas for two years.

He then worked with his dad at Billings Diesel and Marine, Stonington, building
lobster boats. Randy had a love for the ocean both fishing and recreation.
He then continued his career in aviation working at Central Maine Flying Service
as a charter pilot and flight instructor before joining the Maine Forest Service
as a forest ranger pilot flying his beloved UH-1 Bell Helicopter fighting fires
through-out Maine until his retirement in 1996.

Randy was a great fan of the New England Patriots, along with his dog, Willy,
who was always at his side. For years he played guitar in the family band,
The Salty Dogs. He was a member of Masonic Marine Lodge 122 Second Section
Anah Shrine Temple.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, Muriel of Bangor, are his loving wife,
Jeanie (Vafiades) Billings of Eddington; two sons, Michael S. Billings of Eddington
and Randall W. Billings Jr. and his fiancee, Rachael, of Portland; one brother,
Glenn and his wife, Karen Billings, of Deer Isle and their sons, Matt and his
fiancee, Ashley, Joel and his wife, Jenna, and Brian; one sister, Cheryl Schmidt
and her husband, Robert, of Glenburn; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 300 State St.,
Bangor. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with
the Rev. Rex Garrett, Eastern Maine Medical Center chaplain, officiating. Interment
will be after in the family lot at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. In lieu of
flowers, friends may make donations to Blakes's Closet, care of Eastern Maine
Medical Center Credit Union.