Gerald Freeman Billions' Obituary
Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Freeman Billions (COL U.S. Army Retired) died peacefully on the morning of May 10th. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 14, 1939, he was raised by his grandparents, Robert Edward Billions Sr. and Rosa Humphries Billions, of whom he credits many of his achievements in life.
He found the Lord at an early age and was a member of Speedway Baptist Church where he became a Boy Scout.
He graduated from Humes High School in 1957, and while there he assumed many leadership roles, his proudest being ROTC Lieutenant Colonel. This instilled in him a lifelong love for the military and our country. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve while still a senior in high school.
Early in life Gerald knew that he wanted to be a dentist. He completed his pre-dental studies at Memphis State University and earned his DDS from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1965. He practiced and loved dentistry for 52 years before retiring in 2017. He truly enjoyed his profession especially his patients who he considered his friends.
While attending Memphis State and UT, he worked at Baptist Hospital as a lab tech where he met his lovely wife of 61 years, Barbara Robins Billions, who at the time was a nursing student. One day they saw each other in the cafeteria and that was it. They married on November 25, 1961.
Following graduation from dental school, Gerald served on active duty for two years in the U.S. Army assigned to the Army Dental Corps at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After active duty, he continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve where he commanded two units, the 586th Medical Detachment and 323rd Medical Detachment. He was then assigned to the United States Army Dental Command Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston, Texas as the IMA Commander. He spent brief times with the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt and on assignment in Panama City, Panama. He was then assigned to the Pentagon as the IMA Chief of the Dental Corp and the Assistant Surgeon General for Dental. He is a graduate of the Air War College. After 43 years of service, he retired as a Colonel.
His many commendations include: the Legion of Merit (2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), and the Army Commendation Medal (2 awards).
A man of great humility and kindness, he enjoyed serving others and participated in many civic activities and organizations including two dental mission trips to Jordan ministering to Bedouins through Discipling Men. Other civic activities included: President of the English-Speaking Union (Memphis Branch), Board of Trustees for Presbyterian Day School, Board of Trustees for the former Memphis Belle Association, Advisory Board of the Salvation Army (Memphis Command), Commander of the Military Order of World Wars, and member of the Memphis Dental Society.
He was a long-time member of Second Presbyterian Church and served as a past president of the Jeb Russell Sunday School Class.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Ann Billions, three sons: Jeffrey Lowell (Cristan), David Andrew, and Mark Gerald (Martha), and eight grandchildren: Courtney, Caroline, Andrew, Jack, Walker, Eliza, Virginia and Mark Jr. He is also survived by his one sister, Tena Ballard (Steve) of Pickwick, Tennessee.
Funeral services will be held May 17, 2023 at 1:00pm at Second Presbyterian Church 4055 Poplar Ave. Visitation will take place starting at 11:00pm on the same day.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Second Presbyterian Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Gerald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gerald?
Share a story where Gerald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gerald you’ll never forget.
How did Gerald make you smile?