Lyn Brandon Billingsley

Brandon Billingsley, president of Heavy Duty Bus Parts and Ultra LED. passed away suddenly in his sleep Tuesday morning from an apparent heart attack while on a fishing trip of a life time in Mexico at the age of 42. Lyn Brandon Billingsley is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Kristen Norvell Billingsley, and their two children, Lee Baker Billingsley and Emma Lou Billingsley; Father, Don Billingsley and wife Renee; Mother, Angela Louderback and husband Don; Sister, March Billingsley Young; Grandmothers, Lyn Billingsley (MiMi B), Jean Roundy (Big Momma), Marge Bryan(Mawmaw Grande), and Geraldine Norvell(MeMe); Mother in Law, Cheryl Fullen and husband Don; Father in law,Brad Norvell and wife Mary Jo. Brother in law, Bryan Norvell; Sister in Law, Kimmie Moake and husband Joe; Brandon’s uncle, Danny Billingsley, was also very special to Brandon. He is also survived by numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends who Brandon cared for deeply. Brandon is preceded in death by Grandfathers, LB Billingsley(Pop) and Joe Sisemore(Papa Joe) Brandon was born on June 12, 1972, in Houston, Texas. After High School Brandon served as a Ranger in the US Army before joining the family business and graduated in 1997 from Southwest Texas State University at San Marcus with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. He was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. “Brandon set up contingencies for just about every possible occurrence in life, including his passing. Heavy Duty Bus Parts and UltraLED will continue moving forward thanks to his preparedness,” said Branden Smeltzer, general manager of Heavy Duty Bus Parts and UltraLED. “His vision of the company is set, and all we can do is respect his wishes, and move forward with the Billingsley family legacy.” Billingsley grew up around school buses, but officially entered the student transportation industry in 1998 as vice president of Heavy Duty Bus Parts, which was established by father Don Billingsley in 1996. Prior to that, Brandon’s Grandfather L.B. Billingsley owned and operated Billingsley Parts & Equipment. Brandon Billingsley opened UltraLED two years ago as a division of Heavy Duty Bus Parts and it is now operating as a separate corporation. “I think it is appropriate to pay tribute to him and his accomplishments and passion in this industry as well as to him as a person,” Smeltzer added. “We should all appreciate Brandon’s core values in every business decision he made, which focused on student safety first, no matter what the cost.” “Outside of work he has strong values as a human, a husband and father of two wonderful and impressive children,” Smeltzer continued. “Brandon is the guy that will look you straight in your face, shake on a deal and that would be that. The integrity shown by him as an individual is a rarity in today’s world, and he will be missed by many.” Billingsley was a member of the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation, which his grandfather, LB, helped to establish. Smeltzer also noted that the Billingsley family supported NAPT since it was founded in 1977. Pallbearers include Eric Rooney, Bryan Norvell, Brian Wilkie, Hardy Gilliam, Paul Davis, Kelly Steele, Jason Kerr, and Kevin Dailey. Honorary Pallbearers include Casey Kelly, Buster Bowers, Bill Jackson, Blaze Benson, Eric Swanson, Branden Smeltzer and Brian Grisham. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, may be made to The Brandon Billingsley Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is set up at First Financial Bank in New Waverly or Huntsville. The family will receive friends Monday, October 27, 2014, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home from 5:30pm until 7:30pm located at 1700 Normal Park Huntsville, Texas 77340 The celebration of Brandon’s life will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 10:00am at Second Baptist Church located at 2517 Sam Houston Avenue Huntsville, Texas 77340. Please follow the procession to the Billingsley Cemetery. Everyone is welcome. Memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com

Lyn Brandon Billingsley

June 12, 1972 - October 28, 2014