John H.Billingsley, 84, of Owatonna, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Allin Hospital of Faribault.

John the son of Richard and Esther (Johnson) Billingsley was born on February 7, 1940 in Minneapolis. He graduated from Minneapolis Southwest High School, University of Minnesota and Mankato State College where he majored in business administration.

John Married Carol-Lynn Miller on June 14, 1968 in Edina. They lived in Richfield while John worked for Thunderbird Aviation at Flying Cloud Airport as a flight school administrator, flight instructor, and chief pilot. In January of 1974, Thunderbird Aviation purchased the Owatonna Airport operation. John moved to Owatonna to manage that business and the airport. Along with managing, he was a flight instructor, charter pilot, and FAA designated pilot examiner. From 1987 until retiring in 2004, John was employed by Harry Brown's in Faribault and Abra Body in Rochester.

He was involved with the Minneapolis and Owatonna Jaycees, two vintage car clubs, two RC model Airplane clubs, Elks and other organizations. He was also a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church during his time in Owatonna. He served on the Owatonna Airport Commission and airport zoning board. John participated in several Mayo Clinic research trials for people with heart failure.

John is survived by his daughter, Keri (and Dana) Fladeboe of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Emma and Jacob Fladeboe; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years Carol-Lynn Billingsley; parents, Richard and Esther Johnson Billingsley, two brothers and 2 sisters.

Family will receive friends Friday, August 23, from 1 pm to 3 pm at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna, with a private family burial to follow in Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to American Heart Association.