Warren Gerald Billings was born February 25, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Warren Billings and Lois Belle Warren. He grew up in Chesterton, Indiana with his younger sisters Lynne and …
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Warren Gerald Billings was born February 25, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Warren Billings and Lois Belle Warren. He grew up in Chesterton, Indiana with his younger sisters Lynne and Sue. He loved to tell stories of his time in Chesterton playing on the dunes of Lake Michigan, having fun with friends, and working a summer job in the steel mills of Gary. He graduated from Indiana University in 1961 with a Bachelors degree in Business.
Gerry attended the United States Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He became a Navy Officer and served on the cruiser USS Long Beach. While stationed in Philadelphia he met his wife Holly Cutts when she moved into his apartment building in West Philadelphia in 1965. They were married in 1967 in Providence, Rhode Island and proceeded to have a storybook romance that lasted 54 years.
Gerry earned a Master’s degree in Social Services from Bryn Mawr College. He was the Acting Director of the New York State Office for the Aging in Albany where he advocated for social services for the elderly. He then became the Director of State Communities Aid Association where he worked with Governor Cuomo to advance housing and healthcare initiatives for New York’s elderly and low-income populations.
Holly and Gerry raised their son Graham, and daughters Kate and Margaret in Delmar, NY. They all share wonderful memories of family camping trips, ski trips, sailing, playing tennis, and shooting hoops with the tunes of Chicago in the backdrop.
Holly and Gerry retired to Little Compton in 1996. Gerry became an avid woodworker building furniture and creating sculpture using wood, driftwood, and metal. He loved his community of artists at the Little Compton Art Café. He was an active supporter of Common Cause Rhode Island and the Sakonnet Preservation Association.
Gerry’s youthful spirit shined whenever his grandchildren were around. His infectious smile, thoughtful insights, and compassionate demeanor made him a very special friend, father, papa, and husband. He will be missed by his wife Holly, children and spouses Graham and Jen, Kate and Al, Margaret and Justin, and grandchildren Etta, May, Mason, Gordon, Isaac, Clara, and Holly.
He died comfortably at home on Monday, February 17.