Billie Jo Hennings, son of Fred H. and Mable Sprouse Hennings, was born January 14, 1931, at Waverly, Iowa. He was baptized March 1, 1931 and confirmed March 18, 1945, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. He received his education in the Waverly Schools, graduating from Waverly High School in 1949.
On May 17, 1953, he was united in marriage with Ruth Wollenzien at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. Billie served with the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. Billie farmed near Bremer from 1956 to 1963 and in the Sumner area from 1963 to 1978. He later worked for Sherburne’s Implement in Sumner, a feed additive company in Fayette, and the Sumner Farm and Home Store before retiring in 2003 due to ill health.
Billie’s death occurred on Friday, April 17, 2009, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo from complications of congestive heart failure. He was 78 years old and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner where he had served on the church council. He was also a 4-H leader and a member of the Belles and Beaus Square Dance Club of Sumner. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and spent many hours woodworking and making pieces of furniture for them. Gardening, taking care of his yard, and watching and feeding birds also pleased him greatly.
In addition to his wife, Ruth of Sumner, he is survived by three sons, Dave Hennings of Mead, Colorado, Steve (Janis) Hennings of Tripoli, and Tom (Joan) Hennings of Waterloo; one daughter, Sue (Harvey) Carey of Manzanola, Colorado; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and one brother, Charles (Maureen) Hennings of The Villages, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Eileen Albrecht; and one brother, Richard Hennings.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2009, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. officiating. Committal services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday at Harlington Cemetery in Waverly with military rites. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 19, 2009, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made in his name to either St. John Lutheran Church or the Public Library, both in Sumner.
