Bobby Joe Billingsley

Bobby Joe Billingsley 7/26/1947 – 11/23/2021

Bobby Joe Billingsley, age 74, transitioned from this life to glory on November 23, 2021, at his home in Twinsburg, OH.

Bobby was born on July 26, 1947, in Marion, AL, where he attended Marion Public Schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965.  He was a member of Mt Arrat Baptist Church where he was baptized at an early age.  A Vietnam War Veteran, Bobby served in the U.S. Army from 1966 – 1969.  During his years of service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Bobby began his 31-year career with the Regional Transit Authority in Cleveland, OH from 1970 – 2001.

Bobby was preceded in death by his grandparents who raised him, Ethel “Mur” Billingsley and Simon Billingsley, parents, Mary Carnellas Appleby and Emerson Appleby, his sister Julia (Willie “Joe”) Thompson, and his brother, James Marcus “Michael” Appleby.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gloria Woods Billingsley, daughter Tina Billingsley (former spouse David McCarthy), son Bobby Billingsley (Tracy Bellum), and daughter Traci Billingsley (former spouse Greg Hazen).  He leaves behind his loving siblings: Georgia (Joe) Grady, Paul (Frankie) Appleby, Connie Appleby, Pamela Appleby, Cassandra (Ed) Sparks, and Emerson Appleby, Jr.  He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren, affectionately known as the “Seven from Heaven”; Chelsi Billingsley, Aaron McCarthy, Angel Billingsley, Alyssa McCarthy, Zaida Billingsley, Kaiya Billingsley, and Anthony McCarthy.  Bobby will also be missed by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.