David Devore Billings, 88, died Aug. 31, 2009, at Careage of Whidbey. He was born July 12, 1921 in Redlands, Calif., to Owen and Martha Billings. During his boyhood he developed a lifetime interest in nature. After serving in the U.S. Navy in WW II, he studied chemistry at UCLA, where he met and married Eileen Cox. They were married for 61 years and raised four sons.

As he advanced in the glass container industry, the family lived in Whittier, Calif.; Seattle; Modesto, Calif., and Golden, Colo.; for 35 years. After retiring in 1997, Dave and Eileen settled in Coupeville. Dave shared his love of nature with his sons, taking them on camping, fishing, and rock hunting trips. He was a devoted father.

In later life, he enjoyed bird watching with his wife and friends. He was an active member of the Oak Harbor Seniors Rock Club and the Pandorans. In 2001, while fishing at Ebey’s Landing, he went into cardiac arrest. Several Navy men from Oak Harbor performed CPR for 45 minutes and saved his life.

Dave is survived by his brother, Mark, of El Cerrito, Calif.; his wife, Eileen of Coupeville; sons, Craig of Everett, Bruce, Trinidad, Colo., Scott, Seattle, and Keith, Portland; and one granddaughter, Hillary, of San Jose, Calif.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.