Obituary of Kenneth Joseph Billings

Kenneth Joseph Billings, M.D. of Marshfield, died on Monday, April 24^th. ​Visitations are not planned, and services will be private by family as was his request.

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Dr. Billings was born July 14, 1939, in Webster, MA to Armand and Rose (Sarette) Billings. He grew up in Webster, MA where he graduated from St. Anne Parochial School (1953) and Bartlett High School (1957). He attended Clark University in Worcester, MA where he received his B.A.(Biology) in 1961, and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston MA receiving his M.D. in 1965. He put himself through college and medical school by working as a cook. During his medical school years, he served rotations at the US Naval Submarine Base, New London, CT and the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. He completed his medical internship and subsequent residency in diagnostic radiology at the Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, where he served from 1965, resigning as LCDR-MC USN in July 1973. During this period, his training included specialty rotations at University of Pennsylvania Hospital (Philadelphia), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Armed Forces of Pathology (Washington, D.C.), and the National Naval Medical Center, (Bethesda, MD). After his training, he served on the staff of the radiology department at Naval Hospital #5, Philadelphia until his resignation from the Navy in 1973. He married Joyce Amy Dewey of Big Horn, WY on October 12, 1966, in Philadelphia.

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After serving in the US Navy, Dr. Billings practiced diagnostic radiology at Holzer Medical Center / Holzer Clinic in Gallipolis, OH (1973-1979) where he served as chairman of the radiology department. In 1979, the family moved from Ohio, and he joined the radiology department of the Marshfield Clinic but remained in that position only a year. Later he worked as radiologist at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Baker City, OR until 1982 when they returned to Marshfield. He practiced radiology at the Marshfield Clinic until his retirement in September 2000. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology and held memberships in several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American College of Radiology, and the Radiological Society of North America.

 

Ken had an intense work ethic and invested himself wholeheartedly in making sure the radiology department ran smoothly. When Ken retired, it took multiple people to replace him. He brought that same engagement and meticulous nature to his hobbies. He created detailed marquetry pictures (mosaics out of wood veneers) and had binders full of carefully curated materials including puzzles that he created, cartoons he found funny, genealogy information, and instruction manuals for appliances that were highlighted and underlined—all protected with plastic page covers. He was pragmatic and practical and wasn’t much for wasting time. In his retirement, he was a devoted news junkie and stayed up-to-date with current events. His personal interests included reading, cooking, computing, woodworking, gardening and listening to Wisconsin Public Radio. By far, his favorite television program was NOVA.

 

​He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Robin (Kelly) Patterson of Winston-Salem, NC, son Gabe (Crystal Dehle) Billings of Eugene, OR, and daughter Alison (Richard) Sudol, grandchildren Becket L. and Zayda K. Patterson of Winston-Salem, NC, Ian M. and Noah C. Billings of Eugene, OR and André Sudol of Boston, MA. Siblings include brothers Robert A. Billings of Brunswick, GA and Donald J. Billings of Southbridge, MA. ​He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Karen (James) Johnson of Acton, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who want to honor the memory of Dr. Kenneth Billings make donations to Doctors Without Borders or the World Central Kitchen.

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/make-donation-honor-someone

https://wck.org/

Ken’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.