Bob Billings couldn’t say no.

“A friend of mine once said that if Bob had been female, he would have been pregnant all the time,” said Monte Johnson, who spoke Friday at a memorial service for Billings, who died Feb. 13.

Billings couldn’t turn down charities.

He always wanted to help out with even the craziest of business ventures.

And students in need were his weak spot.

“He exemplified all that’s good in a person and practiced it every day,” Johnson told the more than 1,000 people who attended the service at the Lied Center.

The occasion was a solemn one, but, as shown by Johnson’s remarks, it was not without humor. Giant red and purple flower arrangements complete with sunflowers and wheat stalks festooned the stage, and Jayhawk-adorned basketballs helped decorate tables in the lobby.

Guests included Kansas University administrators, coaches and athletes; city officials; and scores of friends and business associates.

Catered refreshments greeted everyone as they left the auditorium, and soon the Lied Center lobby was filled with conversation — and laughter.

Billings wanted the service to be a celebration, his friends and family said.

By the time he died of cancer at age 65, Billings had accomplished more than most people dream.

More than 1,000 people gathered at a memorial service for Bob Billings. Friday's service honored the Lawrence developer and former Kansas University student body president, who died Feb. 13.

The Russell native played on the 1957 KU basketball team that made it to the NCAA championship game, and he served as student body president.

He developed thousands of acres in west Lawrence, and he was president of Alvamar Inc., which includes 3,000 acres of residential and commercial property, a nationally recognized public golf course and the Alvamar Country Club complex.

“He was Mr. Everything,” Johnson said.

¢ 6News video: More than 1,000 gather for memorial¢ Memories stir Billings stories¢ Saturday Column: Billings worked hard for betterment of Lawrence and KU¢ Obituary¢ KU, community to miss Billings, friends say¢ 6News video: Bob Billings leaves behind rich legacy¢World Online photo gallery¢ Alvamar developer dies; friends recall ‘visionary’ deeds¢ Cornerstones: Alvamar (5-17-01)¢ Kansas University pays tribute to alumnus Bob Billings (1-20-02)¢Alvamar.com – History¢History of Langston Hughes School

But Friday, his humanity was the focus, and his accomplishments came second.

When Billings met someone, he always had a handshake ready, said his nephew Jim Billings.

“Great to see you,” he would say. “How are you doing? Super.”

He knew everyone’s name, Jim Billings said, and yet the man who did so much for Lawrence was also human.

“His humanness should give us hope that any one of us could become more like Bob,” he said.

He was a developer not just of property but of people and of communities, said the Rev. Butch Henderson.

And longtime friend John McGrew said, “Some people are generous with their time, some with their money. Bob was generous with both.”