Harold A. Billups (aka HB), a long-time resident of Homer, died peacefully at his home on November 14, 2009. He was 89 1/2 years old.

HB was born in Hot Springs, SD, on May 30, 1920. As a young man of 21, HB heard about a job offer in Alaska for the District Engineers, so he boarded the SS McKinley in Seattle and headed for Alaska. This was the first time HB had ever been on a boat - not even a canoe. He sat up on the bow, face into the wind, and never looked back. What an adventure and what a life he was heading for!

HB was drafted into the Army in May 1943. He was based out of Fort Richardson and Birchwood until his discharge in February 1946.

April 1, 1950, he loaded his belongings onto Slim Giles' barge the "Beachcomber", and headed for Homer. He and Tommy Wikland started the Sterling Bar (the building next door to the Heritage Hotel). He built his home on Main St. (currently occupied by Timeless Toys) in 1951 and later that year married Electa Bolton. Together they bought the Homer Club and Cafe and changed the name to the Waterfront Bar & Grill (now Duggan's). In 1960 they sold the Waterfront and Electa opened up a yarn shop and Harold became a full time carpenter. Over the years he built the Lighthouse on the Spit, various other commercial and residential buildings in Homer and retired after building the Homer Elks Lodge. He was a charter member of the Homer Elks and was very proud to be a part of the community service they participated in. HB and Electa were also involved in starting the Homer Pioneers Club. HB was one of the few remaining true old-timers who remembered Homer before there was a road to Anchorage, before there were telephones, when you knew every person in town, i.e. the good old days.

HB enjoyed boating, fishing, and hunting. He worked hard, enjoyed life, and was fortunate to have exceptional good health.

Harold married Wanda Grady in 1982 and through her influence and insistence, traveled to Hawaii, Europe, and throughout the lower 48. He lost Wanda in October 2004. That void was partly filled when Harold's daughter Eunice and grand-daughter Briana moved back home to Homer in 2006 from California. Briana's baby son, Jack, later joined them in June 2009, much to Harold's delight.

Harold is survived by his sister Marjorie Behrens (age 91) of Wilmington, Delaware, his daughter Eunice and her husband Jim Blaine of Homer, his son and daughter-in-law Roger and Betty Bolton also of Homer, 8 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, 2 nieces and 3 nephews. Preceding him in death was his brother Carten Billups and daughter Rosa Lea Bolton Christensen

He will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service will be held at the Homer Elks Lodge, December 5, 2009, at 1 pm. Everybody is welcome. Please bring your best HB stories to share.