Matthew Everett Billingsley, 25, of Salem, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

      Matt was born on November 1, 2000, in Mattoon, Illinois, to Kevin and Jennifer (Traub) Billingsley.  As a boy, Matt was “all boy.”  He loved being outside, playing cars, getting dirty, hunting, and playing any paintball or airsoft.  He loved to ride four-wheelers, even “out mudding” his dad at times.  At heart, Matt was a pure Momma’s boy.  He graduated from Full Armor Christian Academy in 2018.  From Full Armor, he went straight into serving his country in the United States Army.  He was proud to be a 4th-generation Army soldier.

      Matt married Megan Johnson on November 18, 2023.  He was a devoted husband and incredible father to their precious son, Levi, who turned 1 in March.  He loved his family, was a loving son, brother, and a faithful follower of Jesus.  To know Matt was to know kindness, loyalty, and selflessness.  He would give anything to help others and always put family first.  Matt loved the simple joys, Hot Wheels, pizza, cheesecake, ice cream, board games, hunting, and spending time with family, friends, and his dogs.  He faithfully served on the security team at church and lived his life as a true example of faith and compassion. He wanted his loved ones who didn’t know Jesus to be saved.

      Matthew is survived by his wife; son; parents; sister, Elizabeth (Jakob) Logan; nieces, Adah Jane Logan and Judah June Logan; father-in-law, Michael Johnson; maternal grandmother, Theresa Traub; paternal grandfather, Kevin Billingsley; paternal grandmother, Virginia Larrimore; aunts and uncles, Tonni (Michael) Micklautz, Justin (Tammy) Traub, Matthew (Jolinda) Stephenson; and many cousins.

      Matthew is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Michael Traub; great-grandparents, Victor and Mabel Traub and Benny and Cora Ballard; and his boyhood dog, Riggs.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Private interment will follow in Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville, with the presentation of military funeral honors.  A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Matt’s memory can be made to an education fund for Levi, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  Donations may be made via Venmo by clicking "Donations" or by check or cash.