Leo William Billing passed away at his home in the early morning of March 26, 2023. The youngest of four, he was born on April 26, 1945 to Howard and Teresa (Haughian) Billing and named after 2 of his uncles who served during WWII. He joined his 3 siblings, Patricia, Frank, and Susan Edla and was raised on the N-N north of Miles City. He attended the Hartwick and Fairview schools through the 8th grade, taking time off in the spring to help out at the lambing camp on Sand Creek. He went one year to Sacred Heart High school. After that he went to work for Mary Cato Williamson Swayne on the ranch. His parents, uncles, neighbors and the crew on the N-N taught him everything else that he needed to know.
Leo’s biggest adventure away from home started in 1964 when he helped Reukauf’s trail yearlings from Hole in the Rock, west of Cohagen to Terry, MT. He didn’t make it to Terry but ended up in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. With no way to call, we’re not sure how they worked the timing out, but his Dad picked him up when they went by north of home. He then left for basic training for his time in the Army National Guard.
Leo and Judith Ziebarth were married on October 5, 1968. They had three children, Reginald Joseph, Peggy Leila, and Benjamin Leo. In 1975 with the help of Mrs. Swayne, and his Dad, they were able to lease the eastern part of the N-N. Leo and Judy spent 54 years together raising kids, cows, a few sheep, and a few horses. He spent his time producing as much feed as he could, taking care of the livestock, and making sure fences were in reasonably good shape. In later years, when he could no longer buy a ½ ton pickup made the way he wanted, he started driving a Honda Pioneer. The side by side took the place of both his horse and his pickup. He went through a lot of gas and a lot of dust but he made sure everything had water. His family, his neighbors, and the ranch always took top priority.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Tessie; brother, Frank; and sister, Pat Neiffer. He is survived by his wife, Judy Billing; children, Reg (Kally) Billing, Peggy (Dennis) Logan, and Ben Billing; grandsons, Howard Joseph and Ethan Philip Billing; and sister Edla McKerlick; as well as relatives too numerous to list.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Rachel Finn, FNP and the ladies at the Holy Rosary Infusion Center. You were all a great source of support and comfort in his final months.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow at Old Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevenosnandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 30, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
2:00 p.m.
Friday March 31, 2023
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 30, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
2:00 p.m.
Friday March 31, 2023
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Stacy Hall says
Peggy and family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers! Your dad will always hold a special place in my heart.
Stacy (Entzel) Hall and family
Sheila Hansen says
I am so sorry to hear about Leo. He was always so fun to be around. Jerry and I so enjoyed time spent branding and chatting with him. You are all in my prayers.
Andrea miller says
Peggy and family sorry to hear that your dad passed away. Prayers to you all during this difficult time.
Kyle & Gail Sahw says
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful man and worked so hard. He was so fun to watch him dance at the country dances as he always enjoyed himself and his smile was contagious.
Josephine Meidinger says
Peggy and family so sorry to hear about your dad. Hugs and prayers!!!
Barb Smalis says
Leo was an amazing man. Anyone who ever met him was blessed to know him. RIP, Leo. Prayers to all …
Judy and kids and grandkids.
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We sure will miss our visits when we happened to run into Leo. He had quite the chuckle and a hearty laugh, and we always enjoyed catching up. Fire patrols will not be the same without him. He was always there and eager to help a neighbor. Some people will be greatly missed and Leo is one.
Lora Ragland says
Prayers of comfort to you all. Leo meant so very much to me. There are so many memories. I know my life is better for knowing him.
Heather (Doran) Wadsworth says
Thoughts and prayers to all of the family. So many memories growing up with Leo as our neighbor. His smile and heartfelt laugh, that always made you smile. He will be missed.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
So sorry Peggy!
Curtis and June Fillafer says
Goodbye Leo longtime friend. To all the Billing family, you are in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult times ahead. Leo was a good friend and a friend to everyone. He will be missed in the community. Leo God Bless you in heaven. I’m so sorry to see you leave us.
Marilyn & Jim May says
Judy and family…. We send our deepest sympathy and love to each of you. So many memories, especially going to pick out colts for each of our four kid’s 4-H projects. What a wonderful man and family.
George & Jeanie Mahlstedt says
Reg & Kally, We are sorry to hear of your dad’s passing!
Our Sympathy and prayers are with you!
Mike & Myrna Higgins says
deepest sympathy and prayers for all of Leo’s loved ones.
Brenda Witkowski says
Ben, Reg and Peggy,
I am so very sorry to hear about your dad! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your momma. Memories are extra special in times like this. Take care of each other!
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
So sorry to hear of Leo passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with family.
Shawna Gustad says
Peggy and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you and your family at this time
I really liked visiting with your dad and mom at Reynolds.
Hugs
Shawna and Jeff Gustad
Jim and Annalise Willson says
We were so sorry to hear about Leo. What a true Montana rancher. Leo was always so enjoyable to visit with. The Billing family was a life long family friends. My Dad Norman Willson and my two brothers sheared sheep with Howard many years ago. Annalises Dad Axel Haglof played music with Howard also. Rest in peace Leo.
Jim and Annalise Willson
Jackie and Doug Armstrong says
Deepest sympathy for your families with the passing of Leo.
Bev McLean McNurlin says
May you rest in peace, Leo…..
Noel Allison says
Peggy,
Sincerest condolences and sympathies to you and all of your family.
Noel A R Allison
Steve Harris says
As long as I can remember, I have know Leo! Many fond memories as I grew up on Jack Doran Ranch.
It’s hard to imagine crowrock without him. Judy, Reg and Kally, and boys, Ben and Peggy and Dennis, Edla, I will pray for the Lord to comfort you!
Sincerely Cheryl Doran Harris
Helen Johnsen Deines says
So sorry to see this…RIP old friend of my youth
Kevin Cameron says
Ben, I was so sad to hear the news. It’s already spread east of the Mississippi apparently that a wonderful man, father, husband and grandfather ect…has moved on to greener pastures. I can still see his large smile and hear his deep laugh! Deepest sympathy to you, your brother and sister as well as your mother. Wish I could offer a hug Praying for some peace and comfort as you all get through this together.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
To all of Leo’s family, Chris and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. We had the pleasure of spending time with you and getting to know you when we were in Ashland and rode a few horses for you. Thank you for your business and your friendship. May God give you all peace at this time.
Archie & Bonnie LaRoque says
So sorry for your loss. We are sending prayers to and family.
Joe and Cathi Peila says
Judy, Reg, Peggy and Ben. We are so so sorry for your loss. We have so many good memories of your families welcoming us into the neighborhood out north. Blessings of peace and comfort to you all.
Diane Dresback says
The world has lost a good man, a great cowboy and a darn good dancer. Our sympathy to the family & friends.
Chuck & Charlotte Hubing and the Hubing girls, Diane Sharon & Judy
Lynn Holland says
Peggy and families,
Used to see him at the sale barn over the years.
Met him at Notbohm’s when I worked there a few
years ago. Always had good visits with him.
Nice man. My Dad knew a lot of the Biilling families,
always talked well of all.
Soory to hear this. Lynn Holland
Arlen and Alice Miller says
Peggy and all the Billing Families , Our Thoughts And Prayers are with all the family , GOD BLESS
Deb Bartholomew and Family says
Billing Family,
I am so sorry for loss. Sending prayers to you and all the family.
Donna Orthman says
Judy and family I was very sorry to hear this. When Ivan was younger he and Leo spent a lot of time together, at country dances, time in the National Guard, and all of that good kinda stuff. Ivan shared many of his happy memories of Leo with me and the crazy things they did as kids. Keep all of those good memories in your heart.
Sending you all the best and prayers for you and your family. Donna Orthman
JR and Carol Bean says
Oh how I will miss your dad coming into the store. He could always bring a smile with his stories, even on a bad day. Our prayers and hugs are with all of you.
Diane M Welbes says
Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Sandi Kohones and Jon Wilkerson says
Jon and I are so sorry for the loss of such a nice man! Prayers for the family during this sad time.
Kistia Johnson Golie says
To all of Leo’s family my heartfelt condolences! I absolutely adored Leo when he would visit the office with Judy! Such a great guy with wonderful personality and ethics! So sorry for your loss, much love, hugs, and prayer’s during this difficult time!
Kevin Donnelly says
Sorry to hear of your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with Leo. May God be with Leo and family.
Mike & Judy Toennis says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Kim Keltner says
Our thoughts will be with you in this time. Leo was a fine man and will be missed by everyone he knew.
Kim and Jan Keltner.
Ed Beyl says
A great man will be missed by everyone , thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Brian & Joni Westberg says
Judy, Reg, Kally, Ben
So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for the family during this most difficult time. It was a true privilege to have known Leo.
Carol Schuetzle says
Peggy and family.
So sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
(((Hugs)))
🙏💞🙏💞🙏💞
Carol and Warren Schuetzle
Dave and Helen Cogley says
Judy and family,
Our deepest condolences on your loss. Leo was the real deal when it came to ranching. What I remember best about him was that Billing chuckle, which expressed such a great attitude toward life. Our thoughts go out to you all.
Mike Correll says
Thoughts and prayers to the family. My uncle Ray Roberts worked on the ranch and spoke of the N-N and the Billing family.
Mike Correll
Laura Lee Blankenship Kalloch Beeler says
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Leo’s passing. Having lost my father and husband, I can well-understand the depths of your loss. You all have my most sincere deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. I hope cherished memories bring you peace and comfort. Stay close to each other and support each other with loving kindness. Love and prayers.
Maryann stoltz says
Mary Ann stoltz
Peggy sorry to hear your dad pass away! Hugs and I know God will help through this also Dennis will support you and hug your tears away!
Billie Ayers says
Thinking of you all. So many wonderful memories to cherish, particularly his booming voice and laugh. His and Judy’s gift of a weanling filly when I was a young girl changed my life. A legend has passed. Sending prayers and wishes to you all.
Daniel Troy says
Leo was the most respectful person I’ve ever met. Straight shooting, damn good man! Gonna miss him .
Glenn Huschka says
Sorry to see the passing of Leo. Some of my best memories were out at the N-N and visiting with Leo and Judy while hunting. Leo will be missed. Thanks for letting me spend time there and get to know the Billings Family.