Kay Jeanee Billingsley

January 25, 2025

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, Kay Jeanee Billingsley passed peacefully with her three children by her side at the age of 89.
Kay was born in Twitty, Texas in 1935, she lived there a short time before moving to Alturas, California where she met the love of her life, Kenneth James “Diamond” Billingsley.
They wed and began a life together that lasted for 64 years.
While Jim was serving time in the military, he was stationed in Baumholder, Germany.
With the insistence of her father, she went to live in Germany where their first son, James Lee Billingsley was born.
Eleven months later the new family was headed back across the pond on a military ship to the U.S. and their beloved Modoc County.
The next nine years were spent in Alturas where their family was extended with their second son, Timothy Cole and daughter, Karen Jeanee.
Growing up, Kay loved spending time on the several ranches that her family owned in Modoc and Washoe County.
This is where she developed her love for horses. She was crowned the first Modoc County Rodeo Queen at the annual county fair in 1951.
In 1965, the family moved to Winnemucca, Nevada where she and “Diamond” raised their family.
When she wasn’t working at Billingsley Motors, a new and used car dealership that they owned for 40 years, they were spending time with friends and family.
Kay and “Diamond’s” biggest joy was watching their children participate in many sporting activities.
They chased the boys all over the state as they were active in football, wrestling and baseball.
Daughter, Karen kept them busy with cheerleading, basketball and track. If that wasn’t enough, the sports travel started again with their beloved grandchildren.
The boys, Jace, Michael, Beau and Cade at Lowry engaged in Football, wrestling, baseball and track, while granddaughter, Jamie did golf and softball.
The girls in Spring Creek, Katie, Kristen and Kimmy were active in volleyball, basketball and softball. Needless to say, Kay and “Diamond” put in some serious bleacher time. Recently she was able to watch her two great grandsons wrestle.
In her later years, Kay enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with the girls at the golf course. Tuesday Ladies Day was her real enjoyment.
Her golf game wasn’t the best but the times spent with the ladies were. And don’t forget the high stakes card games at The Martin on Tuesdays and Fridays.
You were a real card shark if you came home with a couple dollars in quarters.
Our thanks go out to the many kind caring friends she made through golf and cards.
Even at the age of 89, she was always able to drive to all her events and family’s gatherings, never getting lost, as long as she started from the same location every time!
A couple of weeks ago she ran into several medical problems that were just too much for her to overcome.
We would like to thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses and support staff at Humboldt General and especially, St. Mary’s Hospital.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Grady and Margie Lee Henderson, great grandson Jordan Boice and her soulmate and husband Jim “Diamond” Billingsley.
Kay is survived by her sister Sandy (Butch) Hess, son Jim (Jeri) Billingsley, son Tim (Susan) Billingsley, Daughter, Karen (Quinn) Dufurrena. Grandchildren Jamie (Jake) Miles, Billy Dufurrena, Jamie (Daniel) Shea, Seamus (Pricilla) Dufurrena, Katie (Deece) Calton, Quinn Dufurrena, Kristen (Josh) Shone, Riley (Agnieska) Dufurrena, Jessica (Wes) Herzog, Kimmy Crnkovich, Jace Billingsley, Michael Billingsley, Cade Billingsley and many nephews, nieces and great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held later in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Winnemucca Ladies Golf Club in c/o Gail Piquet, P.O. Box 9, Winnemucca, NV 89446.