Arlene Billington

Arlene Nellie Billington, age 79, died Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home of Atwood, Kan.

She was born on January 21, 1938 on a farm 1/4th mile North of Max, Neb., daughter of Peter & Ruth (Brynoff) Anderson.

She attended and graduated from Max High School in May, 1956. She met Guy Billington, Jr. at the Imperial Valley Holiness Camp in 1954. They were married on June 12, 1956 at the Max Methodist Church with Rev. Marion Hill officiating. They were married for nearly 50 years before he died in March of 2006.

Arlene came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior in a revival meeting. She was baptized in the Republican River east of Max. In her early years, she attended the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Stratton, Neb., and the little People’s Church in Max. Being a Christian was the central focus of Arlene’s life. She received her Bible training from the older people around her, and she attended the annual meetings at Imperial Valley Holiness Camp most of her life. She also co-chaired the Missions Committee with Don and June Beamgard, and enjoyed promoting missions and hosting missions dinners at the church.

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Arlene worked as a nurse aide at the Benkelman, Neb., hospital, and the Cheyenne County Hospital and the Miller Nursing Home, both in St. Francis, Kan. Later, she took on a number of cleaning jobs, cleaning houses, business offices and the Atwood United Methodist Church. She cleaned the church for 38 years before retiring due to health reasons in 2011.

Arlene was a member of the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the American Legion Auxiliary in Atwood and the Imperial Valley Holiness Camp Association.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Guy Billington, Jr.; and five brothers, Arthur, Earnest, Everett, Elmer and Edger.

She is survived by her nieces, Mariam Hegwood and Jane and husband, David Bowerly; a nephew, Tim Billington; a brother-in-law, Gene and wife, Ruby Billington; and other relatives and many friends.
The funeral was held October 9, 2017, at the Atwood United Methodist Church, with Rev. James Brackett, guest minister, presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Atwood United Methodist Church for UMCOR Hurricane relief or for the church’s Awana Children’s Program.