Date of Service:
December 20, 2023
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Barry Packwood Billington, 80, of Micco, Florida, passed away on November 5, 2023.
Born on March 22, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, Barry graduated from Topeka High School in 1961. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in History in 1964 from the University of Florida (UF), where he was a brother in the Kappa Sigma fraternity and enjoyed cave diving in his spare time. Over the years, Barry would return to Gainesville many times to support his beloved Gators.
After graduating from UF, Barry returned to his home state of Kansas to pursue a legal education at Washburn University School of Law. There, he became a member of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, earning his Juris Doctorate degree in 1967. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1968, Barry practiced law in South Florida throughout his entire career.
In 1967, Barry married Barbara Green and relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they forged many lifelong friendships. Proud parents of a daughter, Heidi Elizabeth, and a son, Ashley Robert, the Billingtons later settled in Boca Raton, engaging with the community for four decades.
Barry was active in the Broward Bar Association, including service as President of the North Broward Bar Association (1980-81). He also served on the Legal Aid Service of Broward County’s Board of Directors (1983-1985) and the Estate Planning Council of Broward County. An accomplished sailor, Barry was a member of the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club, earning racing trophies with his treasured sailboat, “Gator.” He also dedicated his time to the Boca Raton Parks & Recreation Board.
“Coach” was one of Barry’s cherished titles. He left a lasting impact on the lives of numerous children by coaching baseball, soccer, and basketball, and by serving as Commissioner of Boca Raton Little League.
An avid outdoorsman, Barry fell in love with the mountains of western North Carolina, buying a farm near Mars Hill in 1983. The Billington family and friends spent many happy summers at their East Fork Farm.
Barry is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter Heidi Elizabeth Billington (son-in-law Eric) of Charlottesville, Virginia; son Ashley Billington (daughter-in-law Jodi) of Boca Raton, Florida; grandson Logan A. Billington; granddaughters Zadie Rae and Sawyer Rose Tassone; and brother Charles Billington of Topeka, Kansas.
Barry was a true leader in the Boca Raton Community. He never backed down from a challenge and always did the right thing, even if it was not the popular choice. Barry never wavered on his beliefs and stood for what he believed in. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, Barry Did It His Way!
In lieu of flowers or donations, friends and family are warmly invited to gather on December 20, 2023, at the Addison of Boca Raton anytime between 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM to celebrate Barry’s life. (The Addison of Boca Raton is located at 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432.)
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
© 2024 Lowther Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
Jillian Rooney - God Daughter
November 14, 2023, 8:10 pm
Uncle Barry was my Dad’s “moral compass”, his best friend of 55 years, my Godfather as well as being our family lawyer which is how Joe (my dad) and Uncle Barry ultimately met. No matter if something was signed Barry P. Billington or Uncle Barry I knew the situation was handled and we were protected. That lifelong reassurance was who Uncle Barry was. You knew you had a real friend in him. A man of his word. For most of us, you can count on 3 fingers how many people you can truly count on. Uncle Barry was one of those 3. Boat races, fireworks for 4th of July, pool parties, cookies, trains & Christmas Villages… all will have me think of Barry. Heidi, Ashley & Aunt Barbara, my memories with all of you will forever be etched in love. Thank you for being part of our family. We love you.
lynn Stoppelli - Friend
November 14, 2023, 8:32 pm
Barbara so sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. He was a great man to work with and taught me a lot. Lynn Stoppelli
Jeff, Kimberly, Ella, and Everett Johnson - Friend
November 15, 2023, 4:37 pm
Barry was truly one of a kind…and yes, he did it his way…which whether you liked it or not, it commanded respect. Looking back, Barry was my best “Dad” friend throughout my years. I will miss his antics at hunting camp, always giving us grief and telling the same great stories over and over again about our youths. We laughed every time. He always brought a smile to your face. I feel blessed to have known Barry and I’m sad we lost a great one. The Johnsons pray for strength for the Billingtons, and friends, as we grieve the loss of our beloved Barry.
Tina Tringali
November 15, 2023, 8:55 pm
I was so sorry to hear this news. My condolences to the whole family. He was such a character and a legend in our house. I seem to remember babysitting a tarantula for him, and we have never stopped retelling the story of the accidental fireball he made at our YMCA campout one year. I haven’t forgotten the valuable lesson about accelerants and that eyebrows will grow back. So many laughs and warm childhood memories of the antics from those old days in Boca. Love to you all.
Joe Aufenanger - Friend
November 16, 2023, 5:16 pm
Our sincere condolences to the Billington family. We met Barry through the Boca Raton Youth Sports programs and I was privileged to be inspired by Barry’s commitment to build not only junior athletes, but boys and girls with character and values. He had an infectious laugh and was a fun guy to be around. We have many fond memories of Barry.