Billinger -- musician, former mayor -- dies
By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN
Music was a passion for Wayne Billinger.
So those close to Billinger got worried when he didn't show up to sing at church with fellow members of his quartet, Four Star, on Sunday morning.
A former mayor of Hays, Billinger, 54, was later found dead at his home in Yocemento.
He died of a massive heart attack, said his son, Michael Billinger.
Wayne Billinger, a native of Ellis County, served on the city commission for eight years earlier this decade.
He was owner of Advantage Recording Studio of Hays.
Michael Billinger said someone from Four Star called Sunday morning, asking if he had heard from his dad. Other members of Four Star are Billinger's brother, Rich Billinger, along with Galen Schmidtberger and John Braun.
"They called me and asked if I'd heard from him," said Michael Billinger, a student at Fort Hays State University. "It's really unlike him not to show up."
"So they picked me up, and we went out to his house," Michael added.
Wayne Billinger also has a daughter, Kelsey, a junior at Hays High School.