Jim Billen, age 70, resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 14, 2018 due to complications of Multiple System Atrophy. He was surrounded by friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Billen; daughters, Melissa (Craig) Kuettner of Portage, Michigan, Laurie (Kevin) Gates of Chicago, Illinois and Kimberly (Matt) Hall of Phoenix, Arizona; son, Richard (aka Mich) Thomas of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Janis (Stan) Gorecki of Montague, Michigan; and brother, John (Carolina) Billen of Las Vegas, Nevada. Also survived by four grandchildren: Michael, Ashley, Olivia and Maurice. Jim was born on June 18, 1947 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Ruth and Harold Billen and received his undergraduate and PhD in Physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 1983, he moved to Los Alamos and started his career at Los Alamos National Lab. He was married to Mary (Dunphy) Billen of Canby, Minnesota on July 12, 1987 in Los Alamos and was with her at the time of his death. Jim enjoyed time with his family and traveled the world for business and pleasure. At Los Alamos National Laboratory, Jim developed particle accelerator technology and programmed computers both here and in Germany. He also taught accelerator courses with Tom Wangler at the U.S. Particle Accelerator School. After retirement, he consulted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, Tsinghua University in Beijing and CERN in Switzerland. One of Jim’s finest accomplishments is known as the “Bass Ale Trail” near the Pueblo Canyon Rim. For six years, Jim patiently cut out and leveled the trail to make it accessible to bikers and hikers of all kinds. This work was done by hand and with a love for nature and adventure. He loved the opera and served on the board of the Los Alamos Opera Guild. He enjoyed playing bridge, skiing, biking, hiking and was an excellent cook. He was often requested to make his expert, table-side Caesar Salad for guests. Many of you know it was incredibly delicious. Many thanks go out to all the Los Alamos Visiting Nurses, especially Sande Cremer and Shirley Trujillo, and his caregivers, Maria Eadie, Skye McKinney and Skye Webb, for their thoughtful and loving care. A memorial service is planned for June 18, 2018 at the Unitarian Church in Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Los Alamos Visiting Nurses or the Multiple System Atrophy Research Coalition. Please share your thoughts and memories of Jim with us on this webmemorial page.
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About |
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| Name | James Billen |
| Date of Birth | June 18th, 1947 |
| Date of Death | April 14th, 2018 |
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Memorial |
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| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Los Alamos | |
| Address |
1627 A Central Avenue Los Alamos NM 87544 United States |
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Family |
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| Children | Laurie Billen Gates, Melissa Kuettner |
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published a tribute .
Mary, so sad to learn of your husbands passing. I never met James but reading his obituary he was a very accomplished man as was my husband who passed in 2005. Getting though the grief is difficult. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Gloria Yackley Kleve a High School friend at CHS now living in Nashville, TN
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published a tribute .
Mary, I am very sad to hear of Jim's passing. I did not work closely with Jim but always considered him to be a friend. My thanks to you for your loving care for him. May God bless you and keep you during these difficult days. Lash
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published a tribute .
Mary and Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of deep sadness. I very much enjoyed working with Jim during the early years of my career at LANL. I learned a lot from him and have missed him and his unique skills since his retirement. We had some great times together solving interesting technical problems. Anne and I also enjoyed socializing with the two of you during those years.
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published a tribute .
Mary and family,
Leonard and I have fond memories of time spent with Jim and you. Indeed, his salads were wonderful! You were so good in caring for Jim the last few years and I’m sure he felt loved.❤️ We are thinking of you at this time.
Susan
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published a tribute .
Mary and family: My deepest sympathy to you at the loss of your loved one. While we know he is in a better place and free of pain and suffering, it is extremely hard to say goodbye. As you may know, my husband, Earl of 54 years passed away on 3/28 and is still difficult to comprehend that he is gone. All my love and caring, Sydney Halverson (Bruflat))
How admirable of you to think of me when you are going through such a sorrowful time yourself. I didn't hear about Earl's passing, or I would have sent a card. You are in my thoughts and heart.
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published a tribute .
On behalf of Rivera Family Funeral Homes & Crematory we want to express to you our deepest condolences and prayers.
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