Sunday, October 6, 2019
Cecile Billings was a "Salt of the Earth" Lady. I grew up in the same neighborhood and knew Nate and Cecile well.
My Father, Leland Crist, and a hired man got stuck after corralling some cattle in a blizzard and their vehicle became stuck.
I remember Pop telling me that they had only one chance of survival and that was to walk to the home of Nate and Cecile Billings.
Along the way he said the hired man was so cold and wet that he just wanted to stop walking and give up. Pop urged him on and they made it to the home of Nate and Cecile Billings. They were very cold and wet but were taken care of and made it home after the blizzard. Pop told me this story a number of times and always felt blessed to survive the blizzard and for the kindness of Nate and Cecile.
I went to school at Friend and remember Cecile's wonderful cooking. Later when I was a young married man, she made many specialty cakes for my family. I always had a great deal of respect for Nate and Cecile as the were just simply wonderful people and would help anyone in need.
My condolences,
Mel Crist
