Obituary of Theodore Billy

Billy, Theodore "Ted" April 15, 1936 - January 23, 2020 Ted was married in bliss for 58 years, treasuring his family of three gorgeous daughters, one extraordinary son-in-law and two brilliant granddaughters! Because he was such a humble man no one ever knew!!! :-) Ted was a modest, hardworking, fun loving person, who dedicated his life to helping and educating others. He was born and raised on the Minnesota Iron Range where he met a young Jolene in kindergarten. Little did he know he would marry her 18 years later and that the marriage would last 58 years! The Iron Range was also the place he fell in love with Curling, for years to come. He was educated in the Midwest, earning a Master of Industrial Arts from University of Wisconsin Stout and a PhD in education from the University of Minnesota. Initially Ted taught in Fort Dodge Iowa but quickly made his way to Ketchikan Alaska in 1960, where his love of the outdoors and Alaska flourished even further. Ted taught Math and Shop at the Ketchikan High School. During the summer months he worked for the salmon canning factory as a buyer, procuring the goods used in processing & canning the fish and the supplies needed for the workforce. Eventually, Ted's roots called him back to the Iron Range where he taught in the Eveleth High School. More opportunity brought him to Eagan where he worked in the Burnsville School district as an Assistant Principal -- first at Metcalf, then Nicollet, and eventually Burnsville High, from which he retired in 1995. Thereafter, Ted lived the good life, traveling to remote parts of the world and remote parts of the country in his RV, with his wife Jolene and any family that could join them. He especially adored his "sweetheart" granddaughters, Mary and Leah, and the extended time he could spend with them. Ted was a lifelong Shriner, served on the Eagan Parks Board, was President of the Lakeville Senior Citizen center (where he was an avid poker player) as well as participating enthusiastically in numerous other community activities. He enjoyed being a member of River Hills United Methodist Church for 50 years. Little known fact is that Ted was an ordained Minister. On occasions friends and family fondly enjoyed referring to him to as "Reverend Billy." Ted will be greatly missed by his wife, Jo, daughters Heidi (Charles) Uselmann, Stacey Billy and Jodi Billy, granddaughters Mary and Leah Uslemann, brother Harvey (Doris) Billy, as well as extended family and countless friends. A celebration of Ted's life will be held Saturday, February 1st at River Hills United Methodist Church 11100 River Hills Dr., Burnsville 55337. Visitation 10 am, Service 11 am. Memorials preferred to River Hills United Methodist Church riverhillsumc.org or the Shriners Hospital shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/…