Joe William Billups

HERINGTON - Joe William Billups, 89, of Herington, KS, died about 6:00 am, Sunday, October 16, 2016, at the Herington Municipal Hospital in Herington, KS.  He was born March 11, 1927, in Detroit, Red River Co., TX, he was the son of Carlton Holt and Elsie Minnie (Rodgers) Billups.  He graduated from Detroit High School in 1944 at age 17 and joined the Navy as soon as he turned 18.  Immediately after boot camp, he boarded ship to sail out and join the war effort in the Pacific.  However, Japan signed the surrender about the time his ship reached Hawaii when it was returned to San Diego where he was reassigned to the Naval Reserves.  He was later recalled to active duty near the end of the Korean Conflict but again was released from active duty before he actually saw service in Korea.

Upon his release from the Navy the first time, he returned to the east Texas area near his parents to find work.  There was no work to be found there.  He and his brother found their way to Lubbock, TX, where both would eventually get Clerk/Carrier jobs with the Post Office.  He would also marry his High School girlfriend Judy Wolfe, there on Oct. 29, 1947.  He always seemed to have more than one job, including such things as a butcher, custodian, Hot Shot driver for oil well operator, etc.  And he was always very proficient at fixing or building things as needed.

Joe’s postal career saw him serve in many positions including; distribution clerk, window clerk, personnel assistant, and several assignments managing smaller offices around Lubbock.  He was promoted to a supervisor position in 1971, then to Postmaster in Seminole, TX, and finally to Postmaster in Dalhart, TX, in 1975, where he retired in 1982 after 35 years of service.

Joe and Judy would divorce in 1977 while he was working in Dalhart.  He remained in the Dalhart area after retirement, staying active in the community and serving as County Commissioner and as assistant chaplain in the area’s prison ministry.  Prior to his retirement, he married Barbara Brewer of Dalhart, on Aug. 24, 1978.  He also built a home to share with Barbara’s four children just south of Dalhart.  Joe was always known as a trader – always trading something he had for something he needed.  Hence the well-earned nickname, “Trader Joe”.

In 2010, after Barbara retired from the bank and the kids had all started lives of their own, Joe and Barbara moved closer to her daughter Julie, buying a home with some acreage near Herington, KS, where they hang the Texas flag on the flag pole daily.  This home provided a lot of space to keep Joe busy & for Barbara’s garden and flowers.

Survivors include his wife Barbara; one son, Mel (Jo) Billups of Abilene, TX; two daughters, Marcheta (Alan) Jockimsen of Midland, TX, Lynniece (Jim) Hill of Lubbock, TX; step children, Mark (Jan) Brewer of Cedar Rapids, IA, Jay Max Brewer and Kent McCaslin of Dallas, TX, Carla Gaughn of Dallas, TX, Julie (Shaun) Keithline of Herington, KS; grandchildren, Marc Billups, Angela Smith, Kris Torres, Robert Bicking, Matt Wester, Trent Wester, Kyle Brewer, Julia Brewer, Ryan Schlesener, Kayci Schlesener, Emily Schlesener, Kelli Barnes; and 14 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Carlton.

A service of remembrance will be 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Thursday, October 20th, 2016, at the Zeiner Funeral Home-Herington Chapel.  Burial will be at the Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock, TX.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to:  Prison Fellowship, c/o Gaye Barton, 602 Peters Ave., Dalhart, TX, 79022.