David Neal Billings Sr.

David Neal Billings of Little Rock passed away peacefully at home on August 19th, at age 95. David was born June 14, 1924, in Little Rock to Lewis Elijah Billings and Margaret India Jenkins Billings. Preceding David were his brothers James and Lewis, and his beloved son Larry. Surviving David are Nora, his wife of 73 years, brother John, and children David Jr. (Sonia) and Regina (Edwin). Grandchildren are Angela, Allen, Alicia, David III, James, Kristen, Matthew, Michael, Brett, Amanda, Tyler, Talor, and 6 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

David was a long time member of Baseline Missionary Baptist Church and Landmark Missionary Church, serving as Deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. He grew up on the family farm in southwest Little Rock, where he and his family worked the land with a mule, planting crops, and taking care of the animals, while his dad operated their general store in Little Rock.

David graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1942 and as a young adult worked for the Jacobs, who owned the Willow Springs swimming lake and skating rink in southwest Little Rock. In 1946 David drove the Jacobs’ to Indiana to visit family, and it was there that David met their great-niece, and the love of his life, Nora. He and Nora married a month later and put down roots in Indiana, where their children were born. David learned the construction trade from his father-in-law, and the family lived in Indiana until the early sixties when they moved to Arkansas.

David contributed to the skyline of Little Rock as a Superintendent of construction for Pickens and Bond Construction Company. During his later career years, he traveled throughout Texas building Dillard Department stores.

David loved the outdoors and plants of all kinds; he especially loved seeing the dogwoods bloom each year. He enjoyed making and working his large gardens, both in Indiana and Arkansas. We learned that peanuts really grow underground from him.

A kind, generous, and peaceful man, David had a servant’s heart. David saw the good in everyone and helped innumerable people over the years, whether with carpentry work, house repairs, or assisting financially – David was always there for family, friends, and passersby.

The family would like to thank David’s angels who cared for him these last few years – Dr. Benny Green, and the Kindred Hospice team including Dr. Thirumal Dubbaka, Chaplain Wade Shownes, nurse Lacey Lovelis, Nurse Sakinah Shaw, aide Donna Armond, and social worker Bernice King.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22 from 5 to 7 pm, at Griffin-Leggett Healy & Roth Funeral Home at 5800 West 12th St. Graveside service for family will be held on Friday, August 23, at 10 a.m. at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

If so desired, contributions may be made to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital or Humane Society of Pulaski County.