Pat Billiter says Greg recently told her," I'm not making war. I'm making peace. By neutralizing bombs, I'm giving some people peace that might not know it otherwise."

 

36, of Villa Hills, Ky.; assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.; died April 6 from enemy action while conducting combat operations near Kirkuk, Iraq. Also killed were Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class (Diver) Curtis R. Hall and Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class (Diver) Joseph A. McSween.

 

Villa Hills Native Killed in Iraq

      A sailor from Villa Hills, Kentucky has been killed in Iraq. 36-year-old Gregory Billiter was in the navy. His mission was neutralizing explosives. On Friday, in Kirkuk, Billiter and two others in his unit were killed in combat.

 

      Billiter was based out of Washington state. He has a wife and three-year-old son there. But Billiter grew up in Villa Hills. He went to grade school at St. Joseph's in Crescent Springs, went on to Covington Latin High School and then to the University of Dayton. Shortly after graduating from Dayton, he joined the Navy.

        His parents, Pat and Barry Billiter, of Villa Hills, say he told them joining the Navy is what he always wanted to do. The last time they saw their son and his family was over the holidays up in Washington state, just before he left for Iraq. "I didn't feel good about it", Pat Billiter said, "I'd worry daily, I have to admit that. I think I came home from Washington knowing that I had seen him for the last time." 

 

         The Billiters wear a copper bracelet with their son's name on it to keep him close. They remember the last e-mail from him two weeks ago. "He said his biggest regret is missing Cooper grow up" said his mom. Greg, who his father said, saw himself as a peacemaker, would often talk about the positive things our troops are doing for the Iraqi people. "There were roads being built," said Barry Billiter. "Schools built or refurbished, things of that nature."

 

Pat Billiter says Greg recently told her," I'm not making war. I'm making peace. By neutralizing bombs, I'm giving some people peace that might not know it otherwise."

Billiter's body has been flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His funeral will be held at Saint Joseph's in Crescent Springs, but plans aren't yet finalized.