SALINA - It is with great sorrow the family announces that on Thursday, January 14, 2021,Larry Joseph Billinger, adventurer, loving husband, and father of four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, passed away at the age of 73. Larry was born on September 29, 1947, in Hays, KS, to Gilbert and Alma (Weber) Billinger.
He served our nation in Vietnam and brought home a purple heart. He graduated from Marymount College in Salina in 1979 and worked for Southwestern Bell, AT&T, and owned High Plains Communications until his retirement. He gave back to his community through the Knights of Columbus and the Boy Scouts of America.
On June 25, 2016, he married Cynthya and had continued adventures together. You may have shared an adventure with Larry at a Bluegrass festival, Bike Across Kansas, Rolling Thunder, camping as a Boy Scout, an Oakdale park concert, or playing dominoes. He has ridden one bicycle over 32,000 miles, which is more than a trip around this earth, and hiked every 14er in Colorado. His adventures with friends and family were the inspiration for his countless stories.
Survivors include his wife: Cynthya; brother: Gilbert Jr. and wife Carol; children: Thomas (Angela) Billinger, Clarissa (Darin) Eichenauer, Marie (Joseph) Denham, and Larry (Jessica) Billinger II; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Larry was preceded in death by his brothers Leo Francis and Thomas Lee Billinger.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, January 18, with Rosary at 6 p.m., both at Ryan Mortuary. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Salina. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at St Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria.