Donnie Billingsley Obituary

In Loving Memory of Donnie L. Billingsley Sr.
Donnie L. Billingsley Sr., 81, of Little Rock, formerly of Jefferson, passed away peacefully at his home on July 13, 2025.
He was born on October 21, 1943, in Pine Bluff to the late Paul Billingsley Sr. and Ruby Aaron Billingsley.
Donnie was a 1962 graduate of White Hall High School, where he was a standout football player. He went on to own and operate Billingsley's Cabinet Shop in Pine Bluff, where he worked for over 32 years. A master craftsman, he built everything from custom cabinets for the homes of prominent doctors and lawyers to notable commercial projects, including work in JRMC hospital and the Pines Mall. After closing his shop, he continued building for banks and hospitals all along the East Coast for another 18 years, leaving his mark on countless projects far beyond Arkansas. If you could think it, he could build it - and he did, with great skill and pride.
Donnie, affectionately known by many as "Mr. B," was known for his quick wit, tireless work ethic, and steadfast belief that a man was only as good as his word. He took great pride in his craft and in providing for his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne Billingsley, his oldest daughter, Connie Billingsley, and his grandson, Justin Billingsley.
He is survived by three of his children: son, Donnie L. Billingsley Jr. (Tammy), and daughters, Kristie Rogers and Kimberleigh Billingsley Waters (Shane). He is also survived by his brother, Jerry "Booger" Billingsley (Patricia), 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. Among those he held especially close were his "buddy", Bervely Missouri, his dear friend and boss, Scott Knox, and close friend Jake Lassiter, all of whom he cherished deeply. He was also especially grateful to Shane Nicholson for his loving care and steadfast support in his final months He is also survived by his beloved blue heeler dog, "DonnieBlue." It was in his final years however, that he found his greatest comfort and peace in the devoted care and love he received from his daughter Kimberleigh.
A Tribute from His Friend, Scott Knox:
"I first met your dad in 1999, in Indianola, MS, on a bank project that HBE Corporation was constructing. The superintendent on the project and I were so impressed with Donnie's attention to detail, quality work, and overall good nature that we convinced him to follow us to a hospital project in Vidalia, GA, and set him up as an Assistant Superintendent. He excelled there and moved up to handle many following projects directly as the General Superintendent. I was extremely fortunate to move up through the ranks myself at several different companies, and luckily Donnie agreed to move with me to those new companies. In all, we worked together from 1999 until 2017 at HBE Corp., Consultants & Builders, Inc., Level 5, LLC, and ARC Construction Management. Every client on projects that Donnie worked on was satisfied throughout the project and at its completion - and I can't say that about many others I've worked with. The true measure of client satisfaction was apparent when they tried to hire him away from us at the completion of a project. That happened multiple times, and one bank president/owner in Sandersville, GA, finally convinced your dad to stay with him after the completion of a very successful project. They ended up being like brothers - but fortunately Donnie came back to me. We worked on banks, credit unions, hospitals, cath laboratories, libraries, medical offices, dialysis clinics, and various other construction projects. Donnie Billingsley is the finest construction professional that I've ever had the pleasure of working with."
He will be truly missed.
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