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In Memory

Jay Bills - Class of 1951

Idaho State Journal, 08/20/11

POCATELLO — Jay L Bills, born April 15, 1932, exited stage right on August 16, 2011. Born to Lawrence Bills and Bernice Laverne Gardner Bills in Montpelier, Idaho, he was the third of four sons. He attended Montpelier schools until he joined the United States Air Force in 1952.

He was an airplane mechanic keeping the pilots safely flying their missions proudly serving his county in the Korean War; the one war seldom talked about. Thanks Dad.

Post military he was a maintenance mechanic for Boeing Aircraft and helped build the first Air Force One Presidential plane. One of his favorite stories is of him calling his pregnant wife from the phone on that plane while he was eating his lunch. A minor infraction but the risk was worth taking for a once in a lifetime story. He came back to Idaho and work for Central Farmers up Georgetown Canyon as a maintenance engineer, J R Simplot in Pocatello, Idaho and his final maintenance job was with Idaho State University. There wasn't anything the man couldn't fix or figure out even if he had to manufacture a part to fix it They were lucky to have had him.

He was self taught in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, owning his own business for a number of years. You were a brave man leaving the comfort and security of a job and striking out on your own. I'm sure some of those who knew you will be inspired to do the same!

He created a way to fix farmers pipes and found joy in the fields applying his skills to keep food on America's tables.

During his lifetime he actively fished and hunted in Southeast Idaho. Salmon was an annual trek each October and over Montpelier way was great for hunting Squirrels. He Built a Dune Buggy, popular in the 1960s and 1970s and he did it on mom's kitchen floor. Not an easy feat I might add! He liked listening to music; Neil Diamond and Abba were his favorite artists and he loved the Sunday comics. He had a way with animals adopting a stray cat, making a winter bed for protection from the elements but allowing the cat the independence to leave on it's own terms. Neighborhood squirrels were proud to call him friend. They would come up to the screen door, look in waiting for him to notice them and when he came out they would sit on his knee accepting his gift of peanuts allowing him to pet them for a minute or two then move to the sidewalk to enjoy the fruits of their labors.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Jo Bills of Pocatello, Idaho, a daughter Lori Jo Bills; two grand-daughters Mallory Rose and Katie Jo Bills all of Pocatello, Idaho, and one brother Rodney Bills of Montpelier, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his Parents Lawrence and Bernice Bills, a son Randy Jay Bills and two brothers Wade and Darrell Bills.

He was an amazing man my father, husband to his wife, grand father to my children, brother-in-law extraordinaire and an amazing friend and confidant to all who knew him. You will be greatly missed!

Funeral services will be held August 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cornelison Funeral Chapel, 431 North 15th Ave. Pocatello. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, with military graveside rites by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.