'Chuck' Charles E Billups Obituary (1934

Charles Elwood Billups, age 85, passed away peacefully after a short cancer diagnosis, at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, WA, April 24, 2019. He was born April 13, 1934 in Ceredo, West Virginia to Wallace and Mary Ruth Billups. Chuck was a very loving man that never knew a stranger. He was one that was very proud of his upbringing and would be the first to share the importance of values, morals, work ethic and to always follow through with a commitment. Chuck played various sports in high school, including golf. It was during high school that he was invited to be mentored by professional golfer, Sam Snead. At age 17 he enlisted in the Army and was sent to the Korean War at age 19 where he earned the distinguished Purple Heart. After the war in 1954, Chuck returned to Indiana to work as a Heavy Equipment Operator then later moved to San Diego to work for the US Postal Service. His next move was to Lewiston, Idaho and where he began working in the Paper Mill. While in Lewiston, he met Lorraine Anderson and they were married from 1959 to 1970. At this time, they lived in various states while he trained chefs at Holiday Inns and eventually settling in Pierce, Idaho where he worked at a lumber mill and was a volunteer fireman. Due to injuries incurred in the Korean War, Chuck had to stop working and went to the VA in Walla Walla for back surgery. After surgery he moved to Renton, WA and attended community college. Chuck returned to Yakima in 1971 and began working for Meads Thriftway in Wapato, which began his successful career in the grocery business. He soon met Sally Robinson and her two children, Tom and Cindy, they were married in 1974. Chuck was promoted to manager at Meads Thriftway in Selah and worked there for about 5 years, where he was known by many as "Sugar Man". He joined R & R Distributing working to retirement. In retirement, Chuck and Sally traveled to Palm Desert, CA each year to play golf as well as meeting what they would call their forever friends. During the Yakima summers he spent time playing with his grandchildren that became one of his favorite hobbies. He was survived by his wife, Sally Billups and children, Chet Billups, Greg (Lynette) Billups, Tammi Billups, Todd Billups, Jennifer Billups, Tom (Yvonne) Robinson, and Cindy (Darin) Deccio, his grandchildren, Jessica and Beau Billups, Jacklyn Williams, Monica Miller, Austin Paquette, Jeremy (Whitney) Billups, Heidi (Aaron) Henson, Jackie (Jason) Isbelle, Randy and Derrick Utesch, Charlie and Wyatt Billups, Delaney and Maisy Robinson, and McCall Deccio, and 10 great grandchildren, as well as his sister, Margaret Johnson of Union Gap. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Billups and Mary Ruth and Maurice Gillum, a brother, Wallace Billups, sisters, Lydia Walker and Bonnie Brown and brother-in-law, Gordon Johnson. A special thank you to Cottage of the Meadow, Dr. Christopher Schmelzer, Dr. Odhett Cojocaru, Dr. Mark Uhlman, niece, Ronda Walters, and adopted daughter, Leanne Niblett. The Funeral Service, with full Military Honors, is planned for Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 12:00PM, followed by a reception, both at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W Prospect, Moxee). A Graveside Service will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Funeral Service Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory (Yakima) Wednesday, May 1, 2019 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PO Box 1267 Moxee, Washington 98936 Reception Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory (Yakima) Wednesday, May 1, 2019 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM PO Box 1267 Moxee, Washington 98936 Graveside Service Terrace Heights Memorial Park Wednesday, May 1, 2019 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM 3001 Terrace Heights Drive Yakima, WA 98901