For many of us, Sherry Billing was not only our grade level Principal, but also a chaperone on many of the Wranglerette's trips and travels throughout the years.
A lifetime rich in concern for others came to an end for SHERRY HOWARD BILLING in Georgetown, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004 of a heart attack. She was 81. A resident of Houston most of her life, Sherry was a graduate of Texas Women's University and earned a master's degree in education from the University of Houston.
She taught in the Spring Branch School District for 40 years and was at various times speech and drama teacher, counselor, Dean of Girls, Principal of Landrum Junior High and Grade-level Principal at Westchester and Memorial Senior High Schools. She was a member of Northwest Harris County Retired Teachers Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. She has also been a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Houston, since 1976.
Sherry and her husband, Chuck, provided housing for her mother and father, Adelle and Cliff Howard, from 1955 until their deaths, and they adopted two cousins, Francis 6, and Bill, 4, in 1950. The boys lived with them at 2 Valley Forge, Houston, until they went into the service. Sherry and Chuck raised Frank's daughter, Tammy, from the age of 6 and adopted her in 1972. She lived with them until she married Scott Pritchett in 1989. Sherry moved, with husband Chuck, to Sun City, Georgetown, Texas in 1999, where she greatly enjoyed the birds, deer and rabbits in the large "commons" area seen through the glass door at the back of her bedroom.
She is survived by her husband, Chuck, her son, Bill, and her granddaughter, Tammy.
BIRTH
DEATH
30 Oct 2004 (aged 80–81) Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas, USA
BURIAL
Memorial Oaks Cemetery Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA
Sherry and my dad started with Spring Branch ISD about the same time, and worked together at a few schools. Her family and ours were close, and I remember Chuck and Sherry dining at our house as often as we did at theirs--bonus points to them for having a great pool. In the summer of ’72, we went to Copper Canyon, Mexico, and Sherry gave me the nick name “Igor.” Stuck with me for years, and I was a little embarrassed when she worked it into my name at graduation. She was my grade level principal (class of '80), and also my sister Ann’s (class of ’72). She was a wonderful person, and a consummate educator, and I do miss her.
She was an example of an engaged and excellent educator who cared about the kids. She was at the beginning of WHS and made it into a distinguished place in the publc system to graduate from, always expecting we all were to go on to college. She was missed. And adored.
Ms. Billing was was my grade level principal and had worked with my step mother who was a teacher in SBISD. She kept me out of trouble all the time, I remember when we stole to Memorial Band Banner from their band room and I kept it at home in my closet for 4-5 weeks and she called to to her office to and asked if I had it. I told her I did and she sent me home to get it and bring it back to her. Never did get in trouble for it though. She was a great principal and touched the lives of so many children. I am sorry I lost contact with her after High School but will always have great memories of her and all that we did during those years.
I have forgotten the names of most people of my past ,But not Ms Billings as she was my grade level principal and in my senior year. I was assign a teacher I had in the past in whom I had a great dislike for, I went immediately to Ms Billings and stated this and with out hestation reassign me to another, THANKYOU Ms Billings
Near the end of my Senior yr, I was in a car accicent, hospitalized and unable to attend graduation. It was between an episode of Gomer Pyle and Hogans Heros, when the doorway of my hospital room revealed a bold presence.. Mrs Billings had come to deliver my Diploma, personally and to bring good wishes from the school and my classmates. She cared for all of us .. no matter where we were..
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Randal Scott Allison (1980)
Sherry and my dad started with Spring Branch ISD about the same time, and worked together at a few schools. Her family and ours were close, and I remember Chuck and Sherry dining at our house as often as we did at theirs--bonus points to them for having a great pool. In the summer of ’72, we went to Copper Canyon, Mexico, and Sherry gave me the nick name “Igor.” Stuck with me for years, and I was a little embarrassed when she worked it into my name at graduation. She was my grade level principal (class of '80), and also my sister Ann’s (class of ’72). She was a wonderful person, and a consummate educator, and I do miss her.Karen Kay Garcia (1975)
She was an example of an engaged and excellent educator who cared about the kids. She was at the beginning of WHS and made it into a distinguished place in the publc system to graduate from, always expecting we all were to go on to college. She was missed. And adored.Kenneth Wayne Leathers (1976)
Ms. Billing was was my grade level principal and had worked with my step mother who was a teacher in SBISD. She kept me out of trouble all the time, I remember when we stole to Memorial Band Banner from their band room and I kept it at home in my closet for 4-5 weeks and she called to to her office to and asked if I had it. I told her I did and she sent me home to get it and bring it back to her. Never did get in trouble for it though. She was a great principal and touched the lives of so many children. I am sorry I lost contact with her after High School but will always have great memories of her and all that we did during those years.
Kim Richard Olivere (1972)
I have forgotten the names of most people of my past ,But not Ms Billings as she was my grade level principal and in my senior year. I was assign a teacher I had in the past in whom I had a great dislike for, I went immediately to Ms Billings and stated this and with out hestation reassign me to another, THANKYOU Ms Billings
Walter "Chip" Harris Bacon IV (1972)
Near the end of my Senior yr, I was in a car accicent, hospitalized and unable to attend graduation. It was between an episode of Gomer Pyle and Hogans Heros, when the doorway of my hospital room revealed a bold presence.. Mrs Billings had come to deliver my Diploma, personally and to bring good wishes from the school and my classmates. She cared for all of us .. no matter where we were..