“Diamond” Jim Billingsley passed away peacefully at his home in Winnemucca, Nevada, surrounded by his loved ones on June 18th, 2018.
Diamond was born on October 16, 1934 in Hollister, Missouri to Clifford Billingsley and Linda Tappe.
At the age of 10, he moved with his family to California where he lived with his mom and 5 siblings in Canby, while she worked as a cook for the local sawmill. Being the youngest of 6, he was sent to school at the age of 4 out of necessity for lack of daycare.
He graduated in 1953 from Modoc Union High School in Alturas, CA where he met the love of his life, Kay Henderson. After they were married in 1954, Jim and Kay were sent to Germany to fulfill his military obligation to the United States Army.
Their first son, James Lee, was born in Baumholder, Germany before coming back to the states in 1956. The early years of their marriage were spent in Alturas where Diamond was employed as a car salesman for his father-in-law, Grady Henderson. Son, Timothy Cole was born in 1959 and their daughter, Karen Jeanee followed in 1962.
In 1965, the family relocated to Winnemucca, NV where Jim’s father-in-law had just built a new General Motors Dealership. In 1972, Diamond acquired the dealership and renamed it Billingsley Motors, where it served the people of Winnemucca and Humboldt County for 34 years. Jim and Kay entered into their second business venture, which they called Diamond Storage.
Starting with just 30 storage units, over the years it grew into over 500 units. Up until his recent illness, Diamond worked every day of his life, making sure his wife and family were provided for. During those years, his love of hunting and fishing took him on many adventures to places like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, and Kyrgyzstan.
But his favorite place was in his home state of Nevada at the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge. Here he could be found telling unique stories and reciting original poetry around the campfire to family and friends.
Another passion of Jim’s was spending countless hours sitting in bleachers all over the Northwest, proudly supporting his children and grandchildren in wresting, football, softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, and track. Diamond will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who were fortunate enough to know him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob, sisters Eulalia, Virginia, and Pat, and his great grandson, Jordan Boice.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Kay, brother Ted, his children Jim (Jeri), Tim (Susan) and Karen Dufurrena (Quinn), his grandchildren Jamie Miles (Jake), Jamie Shea (Daniel), Katie Calton (DC), Kristen Schone (Josh), Jessica Billingsley, Kimberley Crnkovich, Jace Billingsley, Michael Billingsley, Beau Billingsley and Cade Billingsley, step-grandchildren Billy, Seamus, Quinn and Riley Dufurrena. Five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be Monday July 16, 2018 at the Boys and Girls Club of Winnemucca, 1973 Whitworth Way, Winnemucca. The celebration will begin at 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jace Billingsley “Up from the Mucc” Foundation being established to support Winnemucca youth fulfill their dreams and follow their passion, inspired by “Diamond” Jim Billingsley who was a true “diamond” in the rough”. Please make checks payable to the “Up From The Mucc Foundation” c/o Jim Dandy Productions, 1178 East Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, Nevada 89445.
