David C. Billet, 71, of Hazle Twp. passed away Monday in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Carmen and Louise (Gerrone) Billet.

He graduated from Hazleton High School, Class of 1967, and graduated from Bloomsburg University with a bachelor's degree in English. He received his master's degree in literature from Wilkes University and did post graduate studies at Lehigh University. He studied Shakespeare at Oxford University in England and was a guest lecturer on Western Films at Yale University, New Haven, Conn. He also appeared on "The Joe Franklin Show" on TV discussing film.

Besides attending school, David worked at WAZL radio station from the age of 14 as a disc jockey. At age 16, he attended a telecommunications school in Atlanta, Ga., where he earned his first class radio telephone operator's license. During college, he worked at WHLM, Bloomsburg, and post college he worked at WYSP radio station, Philadelphia. He was also a member of MENSA.

David was retired from the Hazleton Area School District after teaching for 36 years and was an adjunct professor at Luzerne Community College. In addition to teaching, he owned his own businesses, C&F Store and Riff Raff Textiles and Clothing line.

He was an avid record collector, reader and movie aficionado. He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife. He was also a devoted Katy Perry fan.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years, the former Raffael Veglia; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces, nephew and cousins.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Queen of Heaven Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, Hazleton. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be entered at www.moranfuner

alhome.com.

Published by Standard-Speaker from Feb. 3 to Feb. 4, 2021.