Hugh Billhimer

Hugh Nelson Billhimer was born on August 17, 1931 and raised on Massanutten Mountain above the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The youngest of ten sons and four daughters born to William Henry and Willie Josephine (Walton) Billhimer, his sister Sis wished so much for a little sister that when he was a baby she dressed him in dresses.

As Hugh grew he was well cared for by his many older siblings and by his mom who often introduced him as 'the baby' even when he was an adult. As a child Hugh walked to school barefoot, didn't have inside plumbing and when he got in trouble at school not only got punished by the teacher but knew when he got home he'd also have to pick a switch from the switchbush. Christmas was a special time for Hugh starting when he was young and his only gift might be an orange. Hugh often said that they didn't have much but they never went hungry because they had their garden and reserves for the winter.

Hugh attended church and participated in Vacation Bible School as a child. He loved to be with his friends and play games and climb things and take chances jumping from dangerous heights. He also loved baseball and as a young person dreamed of one day being a professional baseball player. Hugh's love for sports grew to not only include baseball but track. As he entered High School he expanded his interests to acting in school plays and being an active part of the Cedar Run Church of Brethren Youth Group where he first learned to sing tenor. Hugh also served as treasurer for his senior class at Broadway High School. Starting around 9th grade Hugh began his first job when the Spitzers invited him to live and work with them on their farm. Mrs. Spitzer was a great cook and served generous portions. Hugh particularly loved her pies. This was a very special part of Hugh's life and why he would often say, "I'm just a simple farm boy."

In 1951 Hugh and his brother Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where Hugh served as an Electrician's Mate Petty Officer Second Class on aircraft carriers during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge in 1955, his brother George encouraged him to attend Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. One night in 1956 Hugh went to a dance at the YMCA and asked an attractive young woman to join him on the floor; they danced together the rest of the evening. On November 29, 1957 the two were married in Kay Brunell's home town in New York state.

As a young couple Hugh and Kay moved to Harrisonburg, VA where they had their first daughter Leslie Ann in 1960. That same year they moved to Broadway, VA where Hugh opened Hugh's TV and Radio Service and in 1962 Helen Louise was born. Hugh and Kay moved to Buffalo, NY in 1965 where he and their oldest daughter started school the same year, one in college and the other in kindergarten. In 1968 Hugh graduated from Buffalo State Teachers College and later that same year Kay gave birth to their third daughter Amy Lynn.

Hugh then taught Industrial Arts in West Seneca, NY and electronics in Waynesburg, PA until 1973 when he was hired as an electronics instructor at the new Charlottesville/Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) in Virginia, where he taught juniors and seniors from local high schools. Hugh loved working at CATEC and was a very important part of the faculty. He and his good friend and fellow teacher Jess Mills had a way of making work fun and everyone there enjoyed their positive spirit. Hugh's students, who often called him Mr. B, described him as an enthusiastic and kind man who had a very positive influence in their lives. After raising three girls, Hugh was glad to host foreign exchange students, and had been especially happy that Tri-Cuong Vu has remained part of the family. Hugh retired from teaching in 1996 and he and Kay spent a year serving in Brethren Volunteer Service where he learned to play the guitar at Gould Farm (MA).

n 1997, Hugh and Kay moved to McPherson, Kansas and soon joined the Monitor Church of the Brethren where Hugh served as a deacon, sang in the choir, participated in Vacation Bible School, and taught Sunday school. He was one of the founders of Guitar's Etc., and loved organizing groups to play at local nursing homes. He was also active in the Optimist Club, performed in plays, and participated in various exercise groups. No matter what Hugh did, he enthusiastically encouraged everyone – no matter how old or young - to join in.

Hugh was comfortable in the kitchen and loved to make things like pie and then share them with others. He was the chef and clean-up crew of the family's Sunday Night Cheese Popcorn tradition and had perfected the timing and the ratio of cheese to popcorn. He also invented drinks made of things like iced tea, lemonade and Tang to go with the popcorn. Hugh liked to keep things such as lists of songs, photos, and ticket stubs to help him remember the events of his life and even referred to himself as a pack rat.

Hugh was a loving husband, brother, father, father-in-law, uncle and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Kay; three daughters, Leslie Frye (Jonathan) of McPherson, KS, Helen Billhimer (Hugh Peterson) of Carson City, NV, and Amy Haddock (Greg) of Maryville, MO; three brothers, George Billhimer (Wilda) of Elkton, VA, Roy Billhimer (Charlotte) of Broadway, VA and Ray Billhimer (Phyllis) of Broadway, VA; a sister, Sis Hartless of Lexington, VA; four grandchildren, Jamie Frye Makatche (John), Cindy Haddock, Tyler Nelson Haddock, and Jake Frye; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and nine brothers and sisters.

The memorial service will be at 2:00 PM Friday, October 4, 2013, at Monitor Church of the Brethren, McPherson. Inurnment will be in the Monitor Church Cemetery. A reception and gathering of family and friends will take place at the home of Leslie and Jonathan Frye (505 N. Charles) on Friday, beginning at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Monitor Church of the Brethren, the American Lung Association, or Heifer International in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Hugh Billhimer please visit our Sympathy Store.