WASHINGTON – Clyde Wallace Billing, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, at Augusta Rehabilitation Center, Augusta. He was born May 4, 1924, in Anson, one of six children to Everett and Hazel (Knox) Billing. He married Hariett Wellman Nov. 6, 1943, and they were married 65 years until her death in 2009. Together they raised eight children in Washington. Clyde was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army, serving in the Philippines. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9437, and a 50-year member of Mount Olivet Masonic Lodge, Washington. Clyde and Hariett started Washington Garage in 1955, doing general automotive repair and used car sales, then obtained the SAAB franchise in 1958. Although they operated at the Washington location until 1966, the main dealership was moved to Riverside Drive, Augusta, as Clyde Billing Inc., in 1965. In 1967 he was the third largest SAAB sales dealership in the United States. They added the Subaru franchise at that site and as the business grew, it was relocated to State Street in 1980. Eventually the dealership included Volkswagen and Itasca motorhomes. In 1989 Clyde and Hariett shared the KVCC Lifetime Achievement Award. One of Clyde’s passions was racing. He was a renowned racer in the Sport’s Car Club of America in the 1960s, competing on the East Coast. He was best known for his ice racing skills, for which he was known as “King of the Ice,” winning the National Ice Racing Championship in 1970. Clyde and Harriett had many wonderful trips together seeing Europe, Japan and much of the United States – his favorite being the several trips they took to visit and fish in Alaska. He was a member of Good Sam Club and Maine-a-Bago Club. He also was a collector of vintage cars. His love of fishing and hunting in Northern Maine and at his camp on St. John River was known by all. During his retirement he enjoyed farming and raising his Hereford. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Harriett; son, James; brothers, Lester and Harold Billing; and sisters, Lucille Yount and Florence Moody. He is survived by his sons, Clyde Michael Billing and his wife, Sandra, of Augusta, David Peter Billing and his wife, Leona, of Palermo, Kendrick “Butch” Billing and his wife, Nancy, of Greenville, Robert Billing and his wife, Darlene, of Washington, Steven Billing and his wife, Gloria, of Augusta and Bruce Billing of Cape Neddick; daughter, Mary Billing of Washington; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Violet Vital. Visiting hours for family and friends will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, with a Masonic service 7 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro, where the funeral will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, with the Rev. Robert Dorr officiating. Burial will be after at West Washington Cemetery, West Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James Billing Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 408, Washington, ME 04574. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waldoboro. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
CLYDE WALLACE BILLING
