SEND FLOWERS
Obituary
Frederick John Billmaier, age 84, resident of Wellington CO, died on December 14, 2025 of heart failure. He was preceded in death by his parents Alphonse (AKA Bob) and Verna; his sister Dianne and husband Claude (AKA Curly) Day; his brother-in-law E. Richard (AKA Rick) Schildbach and his brother Alan.
Fred graduated from Monroe Catholic Central High School. There he participated in marching and jazz band as a drummer. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the US Navy. He was stationed for the majority of his service in Alaska as a communication technician during the Cold War.
Upon honorable discharge he returned home and began his higher education at Eastern Michigan University. After two years he moved to Oregon to complete his Bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in Wildlife Management.
After several years he secured a position as Manufacturing Technician at Hewlett Packard. Years later as Hewlett Packard spun off this chip division to Agilent Technologies he transferred to a plant in Colorado. There he continued to work until his retirement. While there he said he was most proud of his development of STEM projects for high school students. Fred also was an instructor of gun safety courses at a local gun club.
Fred was an avid hunter and fisherman. For many years he was accompanied by his loyal labrador retrievers. His last companion, Max, is now living happily at a horse farm. In 2022 Fred bagged his trophy moose that made the Boone & Crockett Registry. Fred was a collector. Some of his favorite treasures were carved elephants. Over the years, with the help of his brother Richard, his collection proudly outgrew his curio cabinet.
Fred was a patron of the T Bar for more than 20 years. He was warmly regarded as family by its proprietors and fellow hunting and fishing buddies. Each year he wore special and unique costumes every Halloween to pass out candy. Fred will be greatly missed by many in this community.
Fred was an excellent cook and baker having been taught by his mother, Verna. After her death, he and his brother Alan would bake her special Christmas cookies every year for family and friends.
Fred especially enjoyed dancing to 60s and 70s R&B Music. He shared this love with his younger sister Kathleen by taking her to her first high school dance and gifting her with vinyl.
Fred is survived by his brother Richard and wife Tatyana in IL, sister Kathleen Schildbach of AZ and god-daughter Yvette Levingston of TX.
Fred’s Inurnment Service will be provided at Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock, MI on June 20, 2026 with a military honor guard. Although he was a master gardener, he would not want flowers. If you wish to remember him in some way, plant a tree, or donate to your local school, veteran’s program or humane society.
