Robert Billings

Robert Sheldon Billings passed away January 11, 2024 with his family by his side and his sweet wife Nancy waiting for him on the other side. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, January 20 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1500 Country West Road, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior.

Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Robert was born to John and Florence Billings on April 10, 1930 in Minneapolis. He was the oldest son of four boys. Bob attended school in the Minneapolis area. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and later went to school for forestry. He loved nature and anything outdoors.

He met Nancy Tischer at a church activity. They married and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 18, 1959. They headed out to Cambridge, Massachusetts where they would start their lives together and Bob would start his career for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bob and Nancy had their first son, Robert Jr., in Minneapolis and shortly after moved to Devils Lake to continue his career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Three more sons, John, Daniel and Peter, would complete their family in Devils Lake. Bob retired in the early 90’s.

Bob and Nancy bought a home in Mandan where their backyard would overlook the prairies which Bob loved.  He could be seen walking his long mile walks around his neighborhood or the mall each day.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. Bob was active in the Masons and most importantly an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served for many years as the Branch President in the Devils Lake Branch. He loved working as an ordinance worker at the Temple in Bismarck.

Above all else, Bob enjoyed his family the most. Whether it meant taking bike trips across North Dakota and Canada or hunting trips with his sons and grandsons, this is where a lot of special memories were made.

Bob had many hobbies from restoring furniture to collecting guns, knives and beautiful pieces of original Native American artwork. He loved walking the fields and searching for the next special rock to add to his yard.

In 2022, Bob and Nancy moved into his son’s home in Bismarck due to declining health. When asked how he was doing, his response was “I feel like a million bucks!” He was positive and grateful for the little things in life. There was always a "thank you" expressed from him, even if it was a meal he did not like. He will always be remembered for his strong testimony of the gospel and for everyone to keep the commandments.

Bob will be deeply missed by his sons and their families, Robert and Janelle (Danyelle, Andrea, Jovana), John (Joshua, Chelsea/Julio, Leah, Cheyenne), Daniel and Debbie (Tayler, Lindsey/Chris Robert/Karla Jeffrey), Peter and Stacy (Jesse, Kirk); great-grandkids, Adeline, Drystan, Jimmy, River, Joey, Antonio, Emily, Dorothy, Charly, Teddy, Genesis, Harley; brother, Jim and Mardena Billings; sister-in-law, Mary and Glynn Michael; and several nieces and nephews.

Embracing him on the other side are his wife, Nancy; his parents, John and Florence Billings; brothers, John (Joanie) and David (Alice); in-laws, George and Laura Tischer, George Jr. Tischer; and grandson, Jonathan Billings.

The family would like to thank the wonderful team from Hospice of the Red River Valley. They would also like to thank Holly, Mary, Jenny, Sherri and Jodi, and Bob's granddaughter Lindsey, for the exceptional care given.