Dublin, CA

Loving husband for 64 years, father of 5, brother to 6, and grandfather to 9, John passed peacefully on October 5th, 2024. He was an Army veteran, attended the Army Language School in Monterey (now the Defense Language Institute), and was stationed with military intelligence in Korea and Japan. He was for 40 years aprogram manager in aerospace technology in both Pacific Grove and San Jose, and then a Field Representative for the U.S. Census in the Monterey Peninsula.

He was known for his skill in whistling, jitterbug, singing, backroad exploration, and had a near photographic memory of history. He loved reading and was active in the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, along with his wife Darlene, a past president.

John is survived by his spouse of 64 years, Darlene N. Billstrom of Dublin, CA, and was a loving father to David Billstrom (Jennifer) of Black Mountain, NC, Sally (Mark) Schroeder of San Jose, CA, Amy (Damien Curry) Billstrom of Berkeley, CA, Jennifer (Birkett) Huber of Dublin, CA, and Anna Billstrom (Kevin Robinson) of San Francisco, CA. He is survived by 9 grandchildren: Ella Lombard, Meghan Schroeder, Nils Schroeder, Rowan Curry, Aidan Curry, Elliot Huber, John Huber, Tilden Huber, and Reid Robinstrom, as well as two of his sisters, Nancy (Mick) Perusse and Debbie (Steve) Dufresne, both of Minnesota.

Donations to the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove or the Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center in San Francisco (via the National Japanese American Historical Society) are welcomed in lieu of flowers.

The date and time of a Celebration of John’s Life will be available at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ legacyremembers/jo hn-billstrom-obituary?id=56497788.