Raymond F. Billings Jr. died peacefully at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on April 29. He was born in Oak Bluffs on July 17, 1930, the son of Raymond F. and Rita I. Billings. He grew up in Oak Bluffs and graduated from the Oak Bluffs School in 1948.

Ray was the owner of Ray’s Tire Service in Vineyard Haven for 25 years; the shop was a gathering spot for locals. In 1979 when Ray and Doris were involved in a serious automobile accident, his business never closed as his buddies ran it for him. Ray stated, “That’s how you know who your friends are,” and was always grateful to them.

He was a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Lion’s Club, the Martha’s Vineyard Antique Power Association and a board member of the Tisbury Council on Aging. Ray enjoyed puttering in his 1931 Model A pickup truck that he was proud to drive in the parades.

Ray retired in 2000. His plans for retirement were to spend more time with family and friends, some travel and tending to his many projects around their cozy home and garden that was admired by everyone who passed by.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris M. (Bettencourt) Billings, and their son Michael and his friend Janet O’Keefe of Millis. He also leaves his brother Donald and his wife Nancy Billings of Oak Bluffs and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was held on May 2 at the Chapman Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs, officiated by Deacon Fred LaPiana and assisted by the Rev. Raymond Introvigne, a cousin from Connecticut.