Billy Joe Collings passed on August 10, 2021 in Houston. He was born November 26, 1927 in Olney, TX to Irene and Harv Collings one of three brothers.  When his parents moved to California BJ remained on his own in Olney and completed high school aided by the many neighbors in Olney.  Following high school, he joined the Navy at the end of WWII and was stationed on a destroyer in the South Pacific close to Australia.

After the Navy he took advantage of the GI bill and graduated from Texas Tech University with an Engineering degree and immediately joined Gulf Oil in West Texas.  As was common in those days BJ routinely moved his family to a number of locations in West Texas, Houston and Oklahoma. During his career at Gulf, he was promoted to the position of General Manager at International Drilling where he traveled the world including West Africa, Australia, South America and the Mid-East.  He is considered one of the drilling pioneers in the 60's and 70's inventing several procedures and equipment to increase safety and efficiency.

BJ has been married to Linda Collings for 34 years and is survived by a younger brother Jerry, 2 daughters Carol Anne Bohrer and Valerie Jo Hersman, 2 step sons Loren and Randy Bartlett, 4 Grandchildren Dr. Jessica Rankin, Nicholas Bohrer, Luke Hersman and Lucas Bartlett.  He also has 7 Great Grandchildren Avery, Hayes and Max Bohrer, Scarlett Rankin, Gwinn Hersman and 2 step Great Grandchildren Kimberley and Jason Bartlett.  His older brother John preceded him in death.

Services will be held on Thursday August 19 ^th at 9:30 at the Houston Veterans Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77038.   Gifts can be made to the Disabled American Veterans.