A memorial service will be held Thursday in honor of a Denver firefighter who died while on shift with the department.
Technician Jeffrey J. Billingsley, 42, died during his work shift on September 20, according to the fire department. Billingsley was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment in an ambulance, but he did not regain consciousness.
The Thursday service is at 11 a.m. at Denver First Church, 3800 E. Hampden Ave., in Cherry Hills Village. The service is public. It is also streamed live at https://denverfirstchurch.com.
Immediately after the service there is a procession to the Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery in Crown Hill, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, for private internment.
The public is asked to pay their respects along the processional route, which is as follows: east on Hampden Avenue; North on Colorado Boulevard; West on Evans Avenue; North on Broadway (will pass into Lincoln); Northwest on Speer Boulevard; West on 29th Avenue; South on Federal Boulevard; West on 26th Avenue; North on Irving Street; West on the 29th to Crown Hill Cemetery.
Billingsley was a 19-year veteran in the department, most recently in Denver
International Airport Fire Station No. 35. He was recognized for rescuing three people from a 2004 fire. Billingsley served in the Denver Fire Department’s Pipes and Drums Corps, playing drums at events and funerals. He was a board member of the Denver Fire Department Burn Foundation.
In 2005, Billingsley spoke to the Denver Post about cooking and chow at the fire station. Back then, he bragged about a low-fat carrot cake and took lots of ribs from his fellow firefighters.
“At least I’ll try,” said Billingsley in defense of the carrot cake and its culinary endeavors.
In October 2007, Billingsley was part of the rescue team who rescued a 6-month-old child who plunged a furnace duct into the basement of a house on the 1400 block on Syracuse Street.
He is survived by his girlfriend Lindsey Foster; his parents John and Margaret Billingsley; his brother Matt; Sister Lisa; and nephew Heinrich.