William T. Billet

William T. Billet, 83, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2016 at The Brethren Home at Cross Keys Village. He was the husband of Linda R. Billet to whom he was married for 23 years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marian E. Billet; a sister, Lois M. Billet; and his parents, the late William N. and Mildred A. Billet. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Windsor Church of God, 1125 Manor Road, Windsor with his pastor, The Rev. Anthony Zumbo officiating. A visitation will be held from 10-11:00 AM Saturday at the Church. Burial will be in Zion U.M. Cemetery with full military rites provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard. Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion is in charge of arrangements. Besides his wife, he leaves a son and daughter in law, Michael L. and Patricia A. Billet; a grandson, Michael L. Billet, II; a granddaughter, Miranda H. Ruenroeng and her husband Steve; a great granddaughter Caroline Hope Billet; a stepson, Edwin Reiner, Jr. and his wife Jodi, and their son Aaron; a stepdaughter Carlene Lodge and her husband Dave, their son Cameron and daughter Grace; and a step grandson, David Sechrist, his wife and family. He was owner/agent of Billet Insurance in Red Lion for 47 years. Motorcycles were always a part of Bill’s life. He purchased a 1939 Harley Davison and rode almost every day to school, regardless of weather conditions. When he was assigned to military duty in Austria, he purchased a Triumph and was one of the first Americans to road race in Europe after the end of WWII. He was given permission to do so by the commanding General of Austria with the condition that any injuries occurred while racing would be placed on extension of his enlistment. This was later rescinded due to the positive publicity he received with his third place finish in the International road race in Linz. He raced for a total of two years in Europe. He and another GI friend toured Europe on his Triumph for thirty days. Upon his return home, he raced with the American Motorcycle Association in their road racing division. He then switched to WERA and was the 1982 Regional Champion in the Expert 500 Class. He was invited to the 1990 Daytona International Invitational Vintage Race and competed there for many years. Bill enjoyed riding his 1942 WWII Harley Davidson WLA in parades and shows. He was a member of Red Lion Lodge 649 F&AM; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1446; American Legion Post 543; Am Vets; 88th Division Association; Penn State Alumni Association; Honorary coach of the Nittany Lion Club; American-Austrian Society; Antique Automobile Club of America; Military Vehicle Preservation Association; Lifetime member of the American Motorcycle Association; Triumph International Owners Club; and Harley Owners Group. He was the President and founder of the United States Forces in Austria Veterans Association. On four occasions he led groups of veterans who served in Austria on return visits back to that country. They were honored with visits from the President of Austria, many Governors, and the Mayors of Vienna, Salzburg, and Linz. In October of 1995 and 2005 the Austrian military allowed them to raise a Commemorative United States flag at four of the former bases in Austria. He was one of five American military men, which included the sons of Generals George Patton and Holbrook, along with five Jewish survivors of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp, and five Russians to be hosted by the City of Linz in May of 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of that city from the Nazis. He returned to Austria in May of 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe. He led a group of other veterans back to Austria in October of 2005 for their final “Last Hurrah” reunion. This was to commemorate the 50 years since the signing of the Austrian treaty that established Austria as a free and independent Republic. In 2009, Bill and his wife Linda were honored guests on June 6th at Normandy France to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Europe. The event was attended by the Presidents of the United States, France, England. Bill was personally greeted by President Obama. It was also an honor for him to raise the American flag at the Normandy cemetery. In 2010, he and his wife were also honored guests for the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp at Mauthausen, Austria. On June 6, 2014, Bill and his wife Linda and another military friend, Tom Warabak, returned to Normandy for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. They were honored to raise their own American Flag at the Normandy cemetery. Bill again met President Obama, which was followed by a picture-taking event. Tom died shortly after their return and the flag raised at Normandy was placed on his casket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to Windsor Church of God, 1125 Manor Rd., Windsor, PA 17366.