Joyce I. Billings

Joyce I. Billings, 78, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020 at her home in Carbondale with her family by her side.

Joyce Ilene Hursh was born May 31, 1942 in Rural Gridley, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Ray and Ida (Isch) Hursh. She graduated from Gridley High School in 1960.
She had worked as an Administrative Director for the Kansas Horseman Association and played an integral part in keeping the association running smoothly for over 20 years.
Joyce will be forever remembered by her two daughters, Kala Rae of Frederick Maryland and Kendra (Dan) Jacobs of Scranton Ks; two sisters, Marjorie Sutherland of LeRoy Ks and Jean (Jim) Abendroth of Carbondale Ks; three grandchildren, McKenzie Jacobs, Kaden Jacobs and Madison Van Dyke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son, Kyle David Pittsenbarger and an infant brother, Richard Lee Hursh.

Open Visitation will be held from 12pm to 1pm prior to the Close Friends and Family Funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 11, 2020 at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City. Burial to follow service at Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, Kansas 66523. Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalels.com.

Joyce Billings started her life on the Hursh farm outside of Gridley Ks and attended K-12th in Gridley School System. Upon graduation from HS in 1960 she went on to Cosmetology School at Stewarts Beauty Academy and subsequently opened Joyce’s Beauty Salon from 1961-1963 in Gridley. She was married in 1963 and had three children, Kala, Kendra and Kyle. The family lived in Kansas City then California (where Kendra and Kyle were born), Ohio and Texas before Joyce, Kendra and Kyle moved back to LeRoy. Upon moving back to her home state of Kanas she met and then married Richard Dean Billings in 1988 and after about 12yrs in Topeka, Joyce and Richard built a home in Carbondale and enjoyed life in a quiet, wooded retreat that hosted many family gatherings and Holiday events over the years. Her beloved grandchildren, McKenzie, Kaden and Madison enjoyed many summers with Grandma and Grandpa exploring the woods, riding the 4 wheeler, hunting, fishing and do all things “country”! The Billings children and families hosted family reunions and Joyce was especially fond of Jan Billings and the two enjoyed a long-lasting friendship over the years. Her sisters were close by with Jean in Carbondale and Marge in LeRoy. Jean’s children Jared Lee and Justin Abendroth as well Marge’s kids Denise, Janet and Connie were much loved and adored. Joyce always enjoyed hearing about her great nieces and nephews as well. (she has 15).

Joyce will be missed dearly by all who knew her. She touched the lives of many people throughout her 78yrs on this earth. She was loyal to a fault, kind-hearted and loved her family deeply. Those that knew her well never doubted where they stood in her life. She instilled a deep sense of family in her kids and her grandchildren were her life’s joy. She left this world a better place and if you were lucky enough to know her then your life was enriched beyond measure.