LEROY E BILLADEAU Obituary (1935

LeRoy Billadeau, age 84, passed away on April 7 at the Libby Care Center. He had been in declining health for some time. He was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on April 25, 1935, to Elmer and Mary Billadeau and moved to Libby with his family when he was 4 years old. He had an older sister, Mary, and a younger sister, Jean. LeRoy was really a jack of all trades! In Montana, he worked as a logger and in construction. He loved to hunt and fish. He married Joanne Gullingsrud in Libby in 1956 and the couple moved to Seattle in 1957. In Seattle the family grew to include 3 children: Randy, Dixie and Jeff. LeRoy worked in carpentry, steel factories and then traveled the country installing suction tubing for drive up banking facilities. He and Joanne later divorced. In the 90's LeRoy returned to Montana, where his heart called home. Even in retirement, he drove school bus during the school year and in support of fire crews in the summer. LeRoy reconnected with longtime friend Eva Thomson, both were members of Christ Lutheran Church. Together they camped in their motorhome and enjoyed riding 4 wheelers together. They were active in the Libby Good Sam Club. LeRoy was preceded in death by his dear friend, Eva, his parents and his sister, Jean Orsborn. Survivors include his sister, Mary Reamer of Arizona; his 3 children Randy (Marci), Snohomish, WA; Dixie Hart (Richard), Puyallup, WA; Jeff, Auburn, WA; 3 grandchildren Jaimee, Weston and Bridget as well as 2 great-granddaughters, Presley and Ansley. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 15 at the City of Libby Cemetery with Pastor Steve Olson presiding. Because of the health advisories in place, this will be a private service for the family only. A public memorial service will be offered at a later time when social distancing restrictions have been eased or removed. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.