Alita Stocker Billington

Alita Stocker Billington, aged 64, passed away Thursday June 26, 2025 at home in Wye, Montana with loved ones after a two-year, courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Dillon, Montana, to Anita and Alvin Stocker, Alita was raised as a “military brat,” with her father working for the United States Military, and subsequently Bonneville Power Administration. Alita lived in Salida, Colorado; Rexburg, Idaho; Moses Lake, Washington; St Anthony, Idaho; and finally, Portland, Oregon where she graduated from Centennial High School in Gresham, Oregon in 1979. She pursued a business degree at Oregon State University, however, chose to transfer to the University of Montana when her mother and father relocated back to Missoula, Montana after their retirement.

After graduation, Alita took a job as a bank teller at Missoula Federal Credit Union, where her supervisor and close friend, Chris Sisco, set her up on a blind date with her brother, Les Billington. The relationship instantly flourished, and the couple was wed in July of 1986. Alita gave birth to her two sons, Zackery Billington in 1988, and Jacob Billington in 1991. She worked for several institutions, culminating in her becoming regional director of Horizon Credit Union, a position she held until her retirement in 2024.

Alita was a loving mother, devoting her time, energy, and knowledge to her two children. She never missed a sporting event, always in the stands with her sons’ jersey on, their biggest supporter and cheerleader. She taught her children how to think critically, love hard and fully, and laugh at any point you can, because life is short, but we will always remember what made us laugh. She taught her family how to be strong, persevere through the tough times, knowing that “everything happens for a reason,” and, “the tough times don’t last forever.”

A devoted supporter of women’s rights and protection of battered women, Alita held a position with the board for the Missoula YWCA and Secret Seconds Store. She believed that, truly, all the world needed was love. A passionate animal lover, she donated regularly to AniMeals, and loved her “fur babies,” Jazzie, Leroy, Maggie, Harley and Scheezics.

A true Spirit of Christmas kindler and Holiday Season maker, Alita always had Christmas songs, decorations, cheer and love in her heart during the Christmas season. She always found a way to make that time of year the best by far for her family. There are many that questioned whether she was truly Mrs. Claus, but that cannot be confirmed or denied.

Alita would tell you that her favorite job in the world beyond being a mother, was becoming a grandmother. She doted, loved, imparted wisdom, and ultimately instilled that vigor and thorough love of life to her grandchildren, whom she truly made whole.

Lastly, she held the deepest, most sacred part of her heart for her loving husband, Les Billington. Always together, showing their children how to treat your spouse – with love, grace, sometimes a side eye or heavy eye roll, but always with respect and reverence. She regularly told her children how lucky she was to find, “that one, true-blue, gold hearted Montana ranch kid.” Alita and Les would go on many adventures together, share many stories, and build a life that was enriching to all who had the privilege of experiencing it.

Alita was preceded in death by her mother, Anita Stocker, and her father, Alvin Stocker. She is survived by her two brothers, William Stocker and his wife Georgie Stocker, their children Nicole and Jayme stocker and their two children Stella Sauer and Niko Gaya; Douglas Stocker, his wife Jamie Stocker, and their daughter Mackenzie Stocker; her husband Les Billington and their two sons, Zackery and Jacob. After a long, valiant battle with cancer, her close family is heart broken by the loss, but happy that she is no longer in pain and at peace.

Alita always cared for others over herself, and wished not to have a funeral service, but rather a small, intimate grave-side service for family. In lieu of flowers, Alita’s family asks to donate to her favorite cause, AniMeals, and to Montana Cancer Research. The world is a little darker place, but heaven gained a one-of-a-kind friend, and the best mother anyone could ask for.

Quote from Betsy Farrell, “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.” Goodnight and rest easy Momma, I will see you again.